Rachel Omodamiro grew up in central Nigeria as one of nine children born to a mother who was an only child. Both of her parents worked at the local secondary school and emphasized the value of education. “I always worked very hard at school,” she recalls. “Because of my academic performance, a private individual gave me a full scholarship from secondary school to the early part of my postgraduate education. This kind individual paid the fees for me a few others who were unable to go to school, and I am very grateful for such generosity.”