This is the story of a Nigerian who has consistently contributed to the development of education in his country. From humble beginnings in his career, he has grown into a giant in his beloved field.

Mr. Ernest Itua Oaihimire was born in Benin City Edo State, on 10th August 1980. He attended Immaculate Conception College (ICC), Benin City. He had his O’Level in 1998 and had a brief stint at teaching in Benin City in 1999 before coming to Lagos.

He joined Monidams Lighthouse College as a classroom teacher and was enrolled for a diploma in Education in an affiliate programme to the University of Lagos.

In 2001, Ernest was admitted into the prestigious Federal Polytechnic, Auchi in Edo State where he obtained his Higher National Diploma (HND) . During his days at the polytechnic, because of his passion for education, he would come to Lagos for holiday work at  Monidams Lighthouse College.  Indeed, he became vice principal in 2003. In this capacity, he shuttled between campus in Edo State and working as a teacher in Lagos State.

In 2007, Mr. Oaihimire had his compulsory National Youth Service in Lagos, also with Monidams Lighthouse College as a teacher. This was even when most corpers at that time were lobbying to be posted to banks and oil companies for their service.

In 2008, he received his Postgraduate Diploma in Education from Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto. This fully prepared him for the role of a vibrant and passionate college administrator. He became the Principal of Monidams Lighthouse College in 2008.

In 2010, Ernest received his postgraduate diploma in Computer Science from the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He is also passionate about ICT Education in Africa. He is a certified Oracle Database Administrator (OCP) from Oracle Academy in India.

In 2013, Mr. Oaihimire founded EagerMinds College, Robiyan, Ogun State with his lovely wife, Mrs Joy Ibijola Oaihimire, a graduate of English Education from Ahmadu Bello University Zaira. EagerMinds College is one of the fastest-growing private colleges in Ogun State, Nigeria. In the last 10 years, the college has grown tremendously in numbers and facilities.

In 2018, the college produced the second-highest student in JAMB.  Because of his love for Science Education, most of his students from the college are currently studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Lagos.

 Oaihimire is a dedicated family man. His marriage to Joy is blessed with four children.

It was in recognition of his contribution to nation building in the area of Development, Management and Delivery of Quality Education in Nigeria that Mr Ernest Itua Oaihimire was deemed worthy to be conferred with the Nigerian Achievement Award.