By Gradi Health & Safety Limited
At Gradi Health & Safety Limited, our core mission is to improve the standard of workplace health protection across West Africa and beyond. We believe that the future of the industry relies on technical competence—we need fewer “box-checkers” and more scientific problem solvers who can anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control invisible, long-term health hazards.
Our founder, Late Grace Oji, was profoundly passionate about the advancement of Industrial Hygiene across Africa. She dedicated her career to protecting worker well-being and championing technical capacity building on the continent. To keep her remarkable legacy alive and continue building the future she envisioned, we must invest in the professionals who will lead it.
That is why we are incredibly proud to announce the 2026 Grace Oji Annual Scholarship, open to early-career Industrial Hygienists practicing in Africa.
Empowering the Next Generation of Health Protectors
Advancing as a specialized Occupational Hygienist requires rigorous training and technical capability. However, we understand that accessing world-class professional development can often come with financial barriers for early-career IH professionals practicing in Africa.
This scholarship is designed to remove those barriers for passionate, driven individuals who are ready to upgrade their technical competence.
🏆 The Prize: Four (4) deserving winners will each receive a full scholarship to attend ONE FREE OHTA Certification Course of their choice from our 2026 Training Calendar (Total combined scholarship value of $4,000 USD!). This is a massive, accelerated step toward earning the globally recognized International Certificate in Occupational Hygiene (ICertOHTA).
To foster widespread regional capacity, the scholarships will be awarded as follows:
- Two (2) winners practicing within Nigeria.
- Two (2) winners practicing elsewhere within Africa.
The Challenge: Looking Beyond the Checklist
We are not looking for applicants who simply know how to follow a standard safety checklist. We are looking for visionaries who understand that the industrial landscape is rapidly evolving.
To apply for the Grace Oji Annual Scholarship, candidates must submit a maximum 500-word essay answering the following prompt:
“My Role in Addressing Occupational Hygiene Priorities in Africa”
Why this topic? The industrial landscape across Africa presents unique challenges—from rapid industrialization and resource constraints to a heavy traditional focus on basic safety rather than long-term occupational health. We want to hear about your personal vision. What do you see as the most pressing occupational hygiene priorities on the continent, and exactly how do you plan to use your skills, voice, and future training to address them and protect workers?
How to Apply
If you are an early-career Industrial Hygiene professional practicing in Africa, we want to hear from you.
Application Requirements:
- Your Updated CV/Resume: Highlighting your current role, educational background, and passion for health and safety.
- Your 500-Word Essay: Addressing the prompt provided above.
Submission Details:
- đź”— Registration Form: Complete your application and upload your documents via this link: https://surveymars.com/q/3m5k0U5HA
- 🗓️ Application Deadline: Tuesday, 5 May 2026
Are you ready to move the industry away from short-term safety wins and toward long-term occupational wellness? This is your opportunity to gain the globally recognized technical skills needed to make a real impact.
Submit your application today, or share this post with an early-career IH professional practicing in Africa who deserves this opportunity!
For more information on our training programs and consulting services, visit https://gradihs.org/2025/12/29/2026-ohta-online-training-calendar/ or contact us directly.