1. Commonwealth Scholarships in the UK are funded by the UK Department for International Development
(DFID). An important selection criterion is the potential contribution that you will make to international
development if you are awarded a scholarship. Provide a Development Impact statement in 4 parts
explaining:
1. How your proposed study relates to:
a) development issues at the global, national and local level?
b) development issues connected to your chosen CSC theme and the wider sector?
As the world steers in the direction of sustainable development in all areas of life, serious
sustainability issues confront the industry. The need to address the challenges of food wastage
and food quality in recent times calls for the prompt implementation of effective and efficient
Food Supply Chain Management (FSCM). Generally, food is a basic need for survival. Hence,
the food industry plays an essential role in ensuring that such demand is met through active and
effective management practices that take into account the production, transport, storage, and
sustainability requirements that, in turn, affect the environment, the economy, and the society at
large. According to FAO, food losses/wastage accounts for 1/3 of global food production.
Moreover, this estimation of food wastage is equivalent to 1.3 billion tons of food loses in the
world. These statistics are saddening and consequently raise the moral question of injustice to the
affected nations as many human beings, especially in Nigeria, are dying of poverty and hunger.
To attain SDG 1,2, and 13, the importance of carrying out cutting-edge researches in search of
the optimal solution to the persistent problem of weak supply chain management cannot be
overemphasized.
2. How you intend to apply your new skills and qualification when you return home?
During my master's programme, my thesis work will aim to make a more significant contribution
to existing research on Food Logistics and Supply Chain Management by developing production
and inventory models for perishable food while incorporating risk and sustainability strategies.
At the same time, a compromise will be made between operational, high-quality, and
environmentally sound solutions and risk reduction techniques. Upon returning home, I will
apply the same model developed in my master's program using the Nigeria industry analyzed
data in carrying out the optimization process to provide an optimal solution to the food supply
chain management system.
3.
What
a)
b)
you
expect
the
will
change
in
outcomes
the
development
that
timeframe
terms
following
you
for
aim
their
your
studies,
to
including:
achieve?
implementation?
c) who the beneficiaries will be?
(A) At the end of my proposed research work, the following significant results are expected to
emanate:
1. A mathematical model for made-to-stock or made-to-order perishable food production
inventory systems in the UK would be developed.
2. The probability deterioration pattern of common perishable foods in the UK would be
analyzed.
3. Feasible methodologies that will incorporate risk and uncertainty condition strategies in the
production inventory models would be accomplished
4. Implementation and application of the proposed model would be put to testing to solve a reallife perishable food problem.
5. Improved social, economic and environmental sustainability goals
6. Increase in the employment rate.
7. Improved sustainability outcomes of food harvest and decrease in wastes, and operating cost.
8. Drastic reduction in the poverty level, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, Ghana
etc.
9. Sustainable climate system due to the high reduction rate in food waste and food disposal that
could have led to a greenhouse effect.
10. Increase in food harvest, especially at the post-harvest stage of the supply chain management
system.
(B) With all indications and research prowess that I garnered in my previous studies, the research
implementation time should not exceed one agricultural season.
(C) The beneficiaries include charity homes, local farmers, governments, food industries,
agricultural industries, international food-related industries, agrarian institutes, research
institutes, universities, end consumers etc.
4. How the impact of your work could be best measured?
The impact of my work can best be measured through the publications that I will make during
and after my master's programme. This can be tracked through the DOI of my published journals
that I will provide to the CSSS body in due time. As of today, Nigeria's border remains closed,
and this has further contributed to the problem of food and agricultural produce shortage in the
country. I plan to pool my resources towards combating the scarcity of food through my
proposed models, and my efforts shall be evaluated through the quantitative increase of harvest
in a season's time.
5. Provide a short outline of your proposed study/research. This should be written for an audience that
does not have any prior knowledge of the subject, and must not be overly technical. Any abbreviations or
specialist terms must be explained.
1. Conducting a comprehensive review and analysis of related research of Food Supply Chain
Management, hence, this will help to gain a holistic insight into the specific knowledge gap
particularly in the perishable food industry.
2. Appraisals will be done on the selected food companies in the United Kingdom to have an
overview of the current sustainable practices adopted by the companies and the weakness herein.
3. The use of the R program in analyzing the data collected to identify the deterioration pattern of
data of common perishable foods considered.
4. Application of LINGO and other optimization tools for computing solutions of the model
developed.
5. Verification, validation, and testing of results using industry analyzed data.
6. Preparing for sustainable commercial use of the model
6. Provide a detailed plan of your proposed study. The selection panel will want to understand why you
have selected your proposed courses and universities.
Describe clearly:

why you have chosen your proposed courses and universities and why you want to undertake this
study in the UK

what it is that you are looking for in a course and how your chosen courses relate to your
objectives

any dissertation topic you have in mind
Due to the increasing trend in the globalization of business operations, Supply Chain (SC),
especially the Food industries, are still threatened by the uncertainties, risks, and distortions
associated with creating an effective and efficient Supply Chain network. For industry to
compete and survive in the present turbulent environment, flexibility and fast response
approach are critical for effective planning in developing SC optimization models. The fact
that the UK government and Sheffield Hallam University take applied research with utmost
importance cannot be overemphasized. Institutions in the UK are well known for their
vibrant research culture and excellent reputation for research and innovation. The proceeds
from such research, undoubtedly, serves to benefit the UK society and the world at large;
hence, my earnest wishes to pursue my masters at the Sheffield Hallam University.
It is heart-warming that industries in the UK are implementing Supply Chain Strategies to
reduce operating costs and improve customers’ satisfaction. UK is known for her abundant
production of a variety of foods, and the research on implementing effective and efficient
management practices in dealing with the perishability and the requirements for conditional
storage and transport cannot be overemphasized. To this end, I wish to make a significant
contribution to existing research on Food Supply Chain Management (FSCM) by developing
production and inventory models for perishable food management while incorporating risk
and sustainability strategies. This strategy will take into account the three dimensions of
sustainable development, that is, economic, environmental, and social considerations about
the needs of customers and stakeholders, which is in alignment with the SDG goals 1,2, and
13.
Lastly, in the final semester of my proposed programme, I wish to work on the dissertation
titled "Appraisal and Optimization of Food Supply Chain Management System in the United
Kingdom."
7. Objectives during the Award
Diversity Skills: I anticipate this period of study and experience as it would see me collaborate
with scholars from diverse regions around the world, irrespective of their views, to bring their
cultural skills to new levels. I will also learn more about the art and culture of the British. During
the semester break, I intend to pay a courtesy visit to the most celebrated "Queen of England."
Research Skills: I intend carrying out a patentable research, of which the publications that would
materialize from my Thesis would open vistas of further scholarships and fellowships, thereby
manifesting into doctoral scholarship/fellowship, workshops, and conferences participation.
Networking Skills: The road to lifelong networking with fellow Commonwealth Shared scholars
begins with our coming together as students, which will be enhanced in the course of our
learning experience by various social interactions and activities geared towards getting to relate
with one another.
IT Skills: During the programme, I intend creating and designing a research platform (webbased) where scholars of like minds can meet to do peer-review of existing journals to discover
the knowledge gap for future research in the areas of Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
Undoubtedly, the study emanated from these reviews will eventually help in meeting social
demands in Nigeria and beyond.
Leadership Skills: I will collaborate with scholars who have gained knowledge in other fields
that is needed for development in my own country, and this, I believe, will help in making a
positive change in my community and country on my return.
8. Career Plans in the 5 years following the Award *
As a graduate scholar and a tutorial assistant in my Alma Mater, I am looking forward to
becoming a lecturer upon completion of my M.Sc. programme. However, the knowledge
garnered during the programme will be used in pioneering and introducing a new specialization,
i.e., Logistics and Supply Chain Management, under the existing academic and professional
postgraduate programmes, in the Department of Industrial and Production Engineering,
University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The programme will call for students, researchers, practitioners,
technocrats, experts, professionals, and the “Who and Who” in the industry to get exposed to the
world of Global and Sustainable Supply Chain Management. Undoubtedly, the programme will
bring about national transformation to save many industries and organizations that are already on
the edge of collapse.
More so, on my return, I plan to further up my research on the optimization of productioninventory models for perishable food supply chain management system in Nigeria. I will also
participate in many national and world conferences on food-related Logistics and Supply Chain
Management. In addition, I will open a free workshop center to train researchers and
practitioners on sustainable practices needed to attain a Green logistics system. Besides, I will
organize a body of young researchers club, a volunteering group saddled with the responsibilities
of creating models to solve the inherent problem associated with achieving sustainable supply
chain systems for agricultural produce to attain SDG goals 1, 2, and 13. The proceeds from such
research, undoubtedly, serve to benefit Nigeria and the world at large;
9. Long-term Career Plans *
In the middle term of my career, as a researcher and a practitioner in the field of Logistics and
Supply Chain Management, I intend to have carried out a countable number of cutting-edge
researches and floated a minimum of 100 journal articles in my area of specialization, and in the
long run, merit a professorship title consequent upon my hard work. After the program, it is my
plan to return and take up a career in any food and agricultural related public or private sector
where I could apply my skills of broad training in the improvement and sustainability of food
production optimization and management.
Also, as a social reformist and a community service enthusiast, I shall continue to hold
egalitarianism in high esteem. I am passionate about this ideology because it tends to provide a
high standard of living by advocating for universal social rights to attain universally available
public services such as education, medical care, energy, employees’ motivation schemes, and
basic infrastructures. This, I believe, is in alignment with a fraction of the mission of the
proposed university aimed at supporting socially responsible global citizens. In light of this, it is
my innate ambition to hold the office of a Senator in the future, where I shall be involved in
passing bills for equity and good governance.
Finally, I shall partner with International charity organizations in establishing a foundation
scheme that will be willing to grant scholarships to academically talented, but indigent Nigerians
to build a greater nation.
10 Personal Statement *
Challenges are inevitable on the road to success. If, however, they are not properly handled, one
may end up being confused, deterred, and frustrated. “Give your children the best form of
education,” that was my father's watch-word, which was more of the reason why he wanted me
to study at the first and best university in Nigeria, that is, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
However, he could not just want me to study at the University of Ibadan for academic excellence
alone, but also, because he knew he could not afford the tuition fees and expenses of either
private or state-owned institutions. It is very saddening that despite finishing as the best student
in my high school, I still could not meet up the eligibility criteria to gain admission to study at
the University of Ibadan, so I waited for 2 years to restrategize and give it my best shot in the 3rd
year of attempt. After all, I sailed through the admission process in my third attempt and made
the merit admission list to study Industrial and Production Engineering at the premier university
in Nigeria. On gaining admission, my semi-skilled father could not afford my school fees but
after several loans, I sailed through the first year, and on concluding my second, my father got
sacked at work. I was left with my mum, who is a petty trader. As a result, I could not resume for
the third year. Fortunately, the Student Adviser of my department heard about my predicament
and decided to help. He recommended me to a humanitarian club; Challenge Club of Ibadan, the
earlier mentioned organization paid my tuition fees from my part 3 till my final year. I was
happy and perceived that life had given me a second chance for me to be better. As a result of
my doggedness and resilience to become great in life, I applied and won the prestigious Total E
and P Scholarship, which aided my financial life throughout my remaining undergraduate days.
In spite of my adversities, I was able to demonstrate high academic performance. In the end, I
topped my class (top 2%) and finished my degree with first-class honors. Also, my final
Cumulative Grade Point Average of 6.0 out of 7 positioned me as the second best graduating
student in the Department of Industrial and Production Engineering.
Because of this feat, I gained admission and scholarship to further my study in the earlier
mentioned department. Apparently, it has always been my utmost ambition to have my
postgraduate study in the UK, to study my dream course, that is, Logistics and Supply Chain
Management. However, my dream was skewed since I could not afford the huge amount being
paid as school fees in developed countries such as the UK. I was not dissuaded with the scenario
that I found myself, as I so much believe in the words of 16 times WWE heavyweight champion
(John Cena) that says "Never Give Up,” which is my sole reason for considering this application.
11. Voluntary and Leadership Experience
According to African Development Bank Economic Outlook Report released in 2018, it was
estimated that 152 million Nigerians are living in abject poverty, surviving with less than $2 per
day, which is equivalent to about 80% in a total population of 190 million. Based on this report,
it is expected that the statistics may increase if nothing is done to combat or salvage the situation
at hand. It is against this backdrop that I collaborated with a team of 6 to found a volunteering
group called “Operation Feed the Poor (OFP).” The money raised by members are used in
running this group at present, and since its inception in 2016, it has been feeding an average of
10 Internally Displaced People (IDP) per month.
My experience as a student and society leader has broadened my horizon in leadership and
teamwork. In 2012, I served as a legislative member (clerk) of my hall of residence and part of
my achievements is the constitution review, which was a success. In 2013, I was voted to
represent my hall of residence at the Student Union level. During this tenure, I served as the
chairman of welfare committee, and it is to a collective effort and teamwork among members
that we regulated prices of goods sold on the entire campus. In 2015, given well-proven records
of my integrity and fidelity, I was nominated to serve in the position of chairman of my
department and faculty Independent Electoral Commission. During this period, I was able to
come up with an innovative idea of E-Voting system in conducting an election void of rigging
and other electoral malpractices. The idea was welcomed, adopted, and in the end, a vote of
credibility was passed on the team.
Education is a right and not a commodity that should be brought; an average Nigerian deserves
free primary and secondary education. In respect to this, in 2017, I volunteered to join the
National Social Investment Scheme called N-Power, to be a high school support teacher in a
marginalized community to improve primary education delivery, which is in alignment with
SDG 4. My responsibilities include teaching, tutoring, facilitating, counselling and curriculum
implementation of science education studies at St. Theresa’s College, Ibadan.
Currently, I am a co-founder and lead volunteer of a humanitarian organization named
“GirlPeriod School Period.” This initiative is aimed at reducing girl child absenteeism from
school during the menstrual period. The mission involved providing menstrual kits, which is a
key component of menstrual hygiene management, thereby implementing SDGs 3 and 4 of
providing qualitative education and promoting good health and well being of our female
students. I second the lead in reaching out to over four schools with over 800 students in
Ipetumodu, Ife North Local Government, Osun State. In all these experiences, I have come to
learn the impact of giving back to the development of my community.