“I chose love over Oxford”: First -class graduate lands another huge scholarship
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- A first-class graduate walked away from a fully funded Oxford scholarship two years ago, choosing to stay home for a deeply personal reason
- The Commonwealth scholarship he has now won places him among only two people selected across the Commonwealth for the Imperial College London award
- During the years between the two opportunities, he accumulated over 38 professional awards while building a family
A first-class graduate who chose love over one of the world's most celebrated academic offers has now earned a spot among only two people selected across the Commonwealth for a scholarship to study at Imperial College London, ranked second globally in the 2026 QS Rankings.
David Adefunmilayo shared his story in a LinkedIn post in August 2026, recounting how two years ago he received a fully funded Oxford scholarship that many graduates would have seized without a second thought.
After reviewing the pre-sessional materials and reflecting honestly on his own personality, he concluded that Oxford's demanding academic culture was not the right fit for him.
Why He Chose His Relationship Over Oxford
Beyond the academic mismatch, a far more personal reason shaped his decision. At the time, he had just started dating the woman who would later become his wife, and he was not willing to risk the relationship by leaving the country.
"I can get another scholarship. But, I can't replace this woman," he wrote.
He stayed. The couple went on to marry and welcomed a baby boy, whom Adefunmilayo described as the greatest award God has ever given him.
In the period that followed, he stepped back from LinkedIn for close to a year, not as a sign of failure but as a deliberate choice to find clarity away from public noise.
During that time, he accumulated over 38 professional awards and focused on personal development and community growth.
Commonwealth Scholarship to Imperial College London
His patience eventually led to a significant reward.
Adefunmilayo announced that he has been selected for both a Chevening opportunity and the Commonwealth scholarship to study at Imperial College London, with the latter placing him among just two recipients chosen across the entire Commonwealth.
He attributed the outcome to what he described as divine alignment, arguing that walking away from a celebrated opportunity was not weakness but self-awareness dressed as courage.
"Not every prestigious opportunity is your opportunity," he wrote in his LinkedIn post.
TUKO.co.ke compiled some of the reactions his post received.
Favour Godswill said: "Congratulations, Mr David. It gladdens me to actually see this particular dream come through after the multiple applications."
Ifunanya Ibeneme said: "A big congratulations mentor, you deserve this and more!"
Mary Ore said: "Huge congrats tech boss."
Man Who Got Scholarship to Study in UK Shortlisted for Coveted Award
In a related story, TUKO.co.ke reported that 25-year-old Kenyan Joseph Omae, who was pursuing his Master's in Investment Analysis at the University of Sterling under the Commonwealth Scholarship, was shortlisted for the prestigious Walter Scott Global Investment Management Prize in 2023.
Omae had turned down four other scholarship offers to take up the fully funded, merit-based award.
Like Adefunmilayo, his selection came after years of hard work that culminated in a rare, highly competitive UK opportunity.
Such stories continue to inspire young Africans chasing academic excellence abroad while proving that patience and sacrifice can eventually pay off.
Source: Legit.ng
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.