Grad School Buddy

The year is coming to an end, and we didn't want to sign off without a proper goodbye.

For the Season Finale, we kept it in-house, just the four of us looking at 2025 in review. We talked about everything: our favorite podcast guests, the GSB mentees, collaborations, the lessons from the year, and our hopes for next season.

We discussed what keeps our team tight and what it really takes to sustain GSB four years in. It's a wholesome, honest look at the journey so far.

To everyone who's been with us this year, thank you. Your support means everything to us, and we couldn't have done this without you. Hit play and join us for this special finale episode as we close out the year together.

Co-hosts: Ebelechukwu Monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji  

Guests: Chike Onyekwelu, Hairat Olawumi 

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In this special episode, we bring you highlights from our live event hosted by Grad School Buddy in collaboration with EduFurther, designed to equip the next generation of graduate students with real-world guidance and mentorship to thrive in grad school and beyond.

On the panel, Rokeebat discussed grad school preparation and cleared common misconceptions about pursuing a graduate degree; ebelechukwu reflected on the impact of grad school and how to make the most of the experience; and Chukwuebuka explored building a thriving career without an advanced degree.

The discussion was followed by a Q&A and themed breakout sessions, where mentors from Grad School Buddy and EduFurther answered personalized questions from participants, offering actionable advice and mentorship.

If you missed the live event, this episode brings all the insights straight to you. Tune in now to discover strategies needed to navigate grad school and beyond

Featuring: Rokeebat Hammed, Ebelechukwu Monye, and Chukwuebuka Amaji, Amatullah Mahmoud, Hairat Olawumi, Goodness Ajamu, Gbenga Idowu Elufisan, Shamim Ibrahim, and Chukwuebuka Amaji

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In this episode, we discuss joining a graduate program with limited professional experience and how friendships and community make the journey easier. Our guest today is Esomchi Agalamanyi, who studied Economics at the University of Nigeria and earned a master’s in Education, Public Policy & Equity at the University of Glasgow. 

His professional journey has taken him from the UN office in New York to the UNICEF office in Bangkok, and currently, he is at UNICEF Geneva, where he has built expertise in governance, accountability, and knowledge management. We discuss his early days as an economist, what drives him, what his work as a knowledge management specialist entails, why it matters in shaping policy, and the new challenges children face in a rapidly changing digital world.

For anyone curious about policy, children’s rights, or knowledge management, this is worth your listen.

Co-hosts: ebelechukwu monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji

Guest: Esomchi Agalamanyi

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Dana is a labor market economist whose work in the MENA region spans workforce development, gender reforms, and the future of work.

Growing up, Dana's interests ranged from science and sports to languages, but never policy. She eventually studied Government and International Politics at George Mason University, with minors in Middle Eastern Studies and Economics.

In this episode, Dana takes us through her grad school journey ir international policy development and reflects on what it really means to apply academic training in the policy world. She shares the lessons she's learned across three major career shifts, and how each one brought her closer to the work that matters most to her: rebuilding her home country, Syria, through effective and impactful policies.

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It’s not really about grad school this time, it’s a bit of everything.

In this episode, Ebele and Ebuka reflect on the thought behind Grad School Buddy: to share stories from people of all walks of life who have taken different paths to and through grad school. From those who moved countries to study, to people who took out loans, self-funded or received scholarships, and folks who chose not to pursue grad school at all. The goal is to make sure everyone finds a story they can connect with.

They share their own journeys too, Ebuka’s switch from Engineering to Finance, and Ebele’s passion for Economics, her grad school experience, and how her career has evolved since. This conversation offers helpful takeaways for anyone considering grad school, particularly in terms of how it can support long-term career goals.

Finally, they talk about the reach and impact of Grad School Buddy, from our growing listener base to our pioneer set of undergraduate ambassadors,  and how we’re helping fuel both their personal and academic growth.

This episode is a reminder that there’s no one way to do life or grad school, and we’re glad you’re here.

Co-hosts: ebelechukwu monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji

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Seun and Chinemerem met at the University of East Anglia, where they are earning advanced degrees in Global Development and Finance & Economics, respectively. Their friendship and collaboration have since grown, but their journey into development and impact began long before grad school — through grassroots projects, nonprofit leadership, and bold work in public policy.

Seun is the founder of The Development School Africa, an initiative focused on educating African youth about sustainable development. Chinemerem co-founded The GEAC Foundation, which empowers children from low-income families in Nigeria to access quality education.

In this episode, they share their inspiring stories, from early career struggles and scholarship rejections to building careers in development, founding impactful initiatives, and navigating life abroad as international students. We explore the highs, the challenges, and their shared vision for empowering young people and shaping policies that truly serve communities.

If you’re passionate about development, education, or leading change, this one’s for you. Tune in now and don’t forget to follow us for more grad school stories.

Co-Hosts: Ebelechukwu Monye & Chukwuebuka Amaji

Guests: Chinemerem Ugwu & Seun Olagunju

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Meet Odinaka Akpamgbo, a Nigerian scholar who earned first class twice—first from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, then from the Nigerian Law School. He also secured admission to four top UK universities, landing three fully funded scholarships, including one to study the prestigious Bachelor of Civil Law at Oxford.

In this episode, Odinaka shares how his early encounters with injustice fueled his passion for law, how he navigated Nigeria’s toughest law program, and what life is like as a graduate student at Oxford. He also opens up about the mindset and strategy behind his academic excellence.

Don’t miss out, tune in now to experience grad school life through the eyes of a rising star in international law.

Host: Ebelechukwu Monye

Co-host: Chukwuebuka Amaji

Guest: Odinaka Akpamgbo

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You can work in tech without writing a single line of code.

In this episode, we are with Barbra Okafor, a media strategist, content creator, and digital leader whose career spans TikTok, BBC, Trace, and now the Isle of Wight Council. With Master's degree in media and communications from the London School of Economics, Barbra has carved a niche at the intersection of tech and storytelling.

We talk about her journey from creating documentaries at Trace to leading content strategy at BBC and managing digital storytelling at TikTok. Barbra breaks down what it means to build a meaningful career in tech without coding, the importance of content strategy, and the value of inclusivity and human connection in digital products. 

She also emphasizes the importance of building in public and growing your network. This conversation gives clarity on defining your niche in tech and growing with intention. Tune in now to learn practical steps to define your niche and thrive in non-technical roles.

Host: Ebelechukwu Monye  

Co-host: Chukwuebuka Amaji  

Guest: Barbra Okafor  

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Some people are born teachers. 

At just 25, Chisom Paula Ogamba stepped into a classroom at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, as a lecturer in English and Linguistics. In this episode, she walks us through her unique journey, from a curious undergrad who loved simplifying complex topics for her peers to a sociolinguist and PhD researcher passionate about critical narrative analysis.

Chisom had no plan to be a lecturer. In fact, she just wanted to finish school and move on. But during her NYSC year, she found herself drawn to teaching, and that changed everything. We discussed her journey to academia, the highs and lows, and the challenges young lecturers face, from poor pay to limited access to resources, and what needs to change to create a thriving academic system in Nigeria.

This conversation is honest, insightful, and full of vision, especi ally for those who dare to dream. Tune in now to hear how Chisom is carving out her place in academia and why this episode is nothing short of a linguistics masterclass.

Host: Ebelechukwu Monye  

Co-host: Chukwuebuka Amaji  

Guest: Chisom Paula Ogamba  

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In this episode, we connect with Chike Ivor Onyekwelu, a seasoned product designer with expertise in Figma illustration and brand identity design. Now pursuing a Master’s in Information Technology with Project Management in the UK, Chike opens up about his first few weeks as an international graduate student. He shares candid reflections on how reality compares to his expectations, the early challenges of adjusting to a new academic system, and how he’s managing to balance coursework with his creative passions.

We also dive into his experiences with culture shifts, making new connections, and finding community in a new country. Whether you're a designer curious about graduate school or a prospective student wondering what those first few weeks abroad might look like, this episode is packed with honest insights and relatable takeaways. 

Tune in for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation on growth, creativity, and navigating change.

Co-hosts: Ebelechukwu Monye and Chukwuebuka Amaji  

Guest: Chike Onyekwelu  

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