Welcome! The AMERICA to AFRICA HIGHER EDUCATION FOUNDATION is a 501.C3 public charity in support of Nigerian collegiate scholars. We emanate from America, providing tuition (and related grants for books, lodging & meals) to gifted students-in-need, who attend prestigious Nigerian Universities. In doing so, we promote a spirit of global unity.
We just returned from our August ’26 educational summit in Nigeria titled “Your Gift, Your Passion, Your Offering to the World,” a true global celebration of our scholars’ excellence! Join our spirit of joy and make an easy-to-do, tax-deductible donation! Entering our 5th year, we’ve granted college scholarships to such graduates as Andy, Victor, Ekemini and Saviour, and continue to fund current students including Emma, Ekikere, Janet, Daniel, Gideon, Sammy, Sparo, Favour, Emmanuel, Usoro, more.
DONATE NOW! Please contribute (button below) so we can maintain and add more scholars for a bright fall 2026!
A mere $2,100 provides college tuition for a year of study including meal ticket & lodging. Garnering all or any part of such scholarship is the focus of our goal in assisting brilliant but otherwise impoverished young women & men in gaining admittance into or maintaining continuance of study in such Nigerian tertiary institutions as the University of Uyo. No donation is too small in making their dreams come true in Medicine/Surgery, Law, Physics, Civil, Mechanical & Environmental Engineering, Religious Studies, Medical Laboratory Science, Biology Education, Business Administration, Geology, Computer Science, more. Come meet us…
University of Uyo
Both wishing to become doctors, Emmanuel and “Sparo” (Victor) have been assisted by AAHEF, and are currently enrolled at UniUyo, for their upcoming 4th years.
Emmanuel (left) inspirationally discloses, “Beginning as a student in the School of Basic Studies with a concentration in Science at University of Uyo and now continuing in the School of Medical Laboratory Science, I believe that there is no substitute for hard work. The reason for my existence is to honor my Christian Walk and be of help to others—each day when I see what local communities in my country are facing due to a lack of medical care, it grieves me. That is why I wish to excel in my studies.” In 2025, “Emma” as he is nicknamed, has become Student Senator, reflecting his growth, confidence and compassion.
Victor (“Sparo,” right) smiles with conviction, “Whenever you want to achieve something, concentrate, keep your eyes open, and make sure you know exactly what it is, and what you want. I am embarking on my 3rd year at UniUyo in the school of Medicine & Surgery. My dreams of becoming a doctor and one day opening a medical center to especially help locals struggling with affordable care, can be achieved and I thank God for guiding my faith, and AAHEF for believing in me, supporting my goals!”
Our President & Executive Director,
Robert-Allan Arno
Known for his spirit of excellence and inspiring demeanor, American media spokesman, voice-actor, teacher, author & faith-based broadcaster, Robert-Allan Arno was the American Ambassador to a premier children’s center in Nigeria. He has certifications in Trauma Core & Relational Trauma Skills. In June 2026, Robert received the cross-cultural Humanitarian Icon Award from Inspiration-FM, Nigeria honoring compassion, leadership and service. Robert shares his vision, as follows, “It became increasingly clear during the pandemic, that hopeful Nigerian college-bound scholars were in need of crucial assistance then…and now in 2026. I believe we help where we are called by God. I started with garnering private donations for Emmanuel and Sparo who wanted to become doctors (their story, left) and it also became clear a bona fide 501.C3 foundation was needed, so we could help more gifted scholars make their collegiate dreams come true. And our additional efforts are holistic ones: issuing emergency grants to students suffering from food insufficiency, bringing fitness coaching to our scholars via Zoom with renowned global experts like Adrian Richardson of Fit-Bit fame, and creatively, bringing voice-acting classes via Zoom, pro-bono, to enthusiastic Nigerian scholars wishing greater command of their presentational skills. These efforts have been greatly successful as part of our AAHEF broad-based endeavor.”
Read more about Robert at http://www.robertallanarno.org
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL, featuring our scholars’ impact videos and more at: https://www.youtube.com/@AmericatoAfricaACross-cultural
READ “From Africa to America with Love” on Substack, OUR NIGERIAN SUMMER ’26 SUMMIT, ENJOY HEARTWARMING PHOTOS, here: https://robertallanarno.substack.com/p/from-america-to-africa-with-love?r=gfks1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Our Nigerian Team, Our Classes, Music & Artwork!
COOL CROONIN’ — Now Available in the AAHEF Boutique
Cool Croonin’ is Robert-Allan Arno’s new Pop-Jazz CD, created in the spirit of classic vocal storytelling. For a $25 donation, you will receive a personally inscribed CD, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the America to Africa Higher Education Foundation (AAHEF).
About the Album
- 10 carefully curated Pop-Jazz standards and classics (featuring the cover art of Nigeria’s Ephraim Udoka)
- “Summertime” is dedicated to our AAHEF scholars
- “What a Wonderful World” reflects AAHEF’s message of global unity and shared humanity
Where the Music Is Being Heard
- Featured on Inspiration-FM (Nigeria)
- Additional radio play in the U.S.
Purchase Details
- $25 donation per CD
- United States orders only
- Secure Stripe checkout link:
👉 https://buy.stripe.com/bJe8wPenwaVCeUI5sK5kk00
More for 2026/27! Click “For Media Usage,” above, to view a sample of Ephraim Udoka’s Untangled Trilogy– prints available through Stripe soon! (actual size: 14” x 20” per panel).
Sporting our exclusive AAHEF Tee* is our Director of Academic Achievement, Nigeria’s Uwem Nesfield–each of our scholars has one to wear proudly, and so can our supporters! First, let’s introduce Uwem: a highly respected professor at the University of Uyo, of Theatre & Film with focus on Lighting, Scenery & Sound Design, Mr. Nesfield is a PhD candidate. He is also a freelance radio music DJ & current events host on the popular Inspiration-FM. Uwem wrote & performed the acclaimed recording, “One Love Akwa Ibom,” a call for West African and global unity. As a producer, he creates captivating radio dramas, jingles for radio, TV, & social media, and provides voiceovers for various projects.
Uwem brings cross-cultural transparency to AAHEF, with his finger on the pulse of students’ essential needs—their progressive focus, as well as collating all the documentation that is required on their journeys. Balancing this, his media expertise brings excitement to AAHEF’s promotional campaigns & event planning. With his lovely wife, Uwem raises his gifted 8-year-old son with a keen eye to the future of education while he guides those carefully at the collegiate level.
Scholar Emmanuel with Executive Director, Robert presents Certificate of Excellence to AAHEF Scholar, Favour at our August 2026 Educational Summit in Nigeria, an event attended by Scholars, Parents, Poets, Professors, more…we put on an exciting show!
Ephraim is a Nigerian self-taught Fine Artist. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Uyo. He worked with the top humanitarian children’s center in Nigeria, mentoring classes in Fine Arts & Theater, and is also a scenic designer.
Ephraim’s latest ink and watercolor thematic series are titled “Wrapped,” “The Local Hairdresser,” “Pride in Labour,” and the “Untangled” trilogy, the latter available in limited edition prints for 2026 at the AAHEF Boutique. They have international appeal with art connoisseurs and galleries, alike. When it comes to the Art of Portraiture, he is known globally for making his subjects “look like celebrities,” although, among these subjects are actual celebrities! For instance, Ephraim was commissioned to honor the 50th wedding anniversary of the 7-time Grammy winning legendary couple, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. of The 5th Dimension (pictured). Mr. Udoka’s pen & graphite collage, titled “The World of LaMonte” debuted in Las Vegas in January 2024, at the “Black is Beautiful” gala event held in honor of AAHEF Board member and 6-time Grammy winner, LaMonte McLemore. In late 2025, Udoka created the cover art for Robert-Allan Arno’s international Jazz CD, titled COOL CROONIN’. Ephraim’s contribution to AAHEF is diverse in mentoring scholars creatively while offering his original pieces and prints as special incentives to our contributors. Please scroll down to see one of his popular pieces!
Assess, Assist, Guide…Collegiate Academic Excellence!
America to Africa Higher Education Foundation, Inc. is a Pennsylvania Domestic Non-Profit, File Number 7499180. A public charity, we have been granted 501.C3 tax exempt status (ID # 88-2074592)–donors can deduct contributions made to us under IRC Section 170. If you wish to donate by check, make payable to “America to Africa HEF.” Please mail to the address, below. All donations are non-refundable.
“Students in the Spotlight“: Brava to Ekemini Udofia, a graceful, empowered young woman, who just graduated in Integrated Science Education. She expresses, “I just wanted to let AAHEF know how much I appreciate the positive impact you have had on my life. Thank you for your concern and support, it has meant more to me than you will ever know.” Congratulations to Victor Esuk, graduate in Geology and Andy Promise (see his “I Made It!” photo above), graduate of Computer Engineering at University of Uyo. AAHEF assisted Andy in his final year with tuition and other needs. Andy shares candidly as an inspiration to all, “Today, all my results were uploaded to my school portal. And I’m happy that I smashed my academic goal. My journey at university began with a CGPA of 2.64, but I was determined to excel. I made a vow to graduate with at least a 4.0 CGPA, and in my final year, not only did I achieve that, but I exceeded it with a CGPA of 4.12.!” Andy kindly adds, “The support and opportunities provided by the America to Africa Higher Education Foundation have been instrumental for young African scholars like me.” And special mention to Saviour Udoh (photo below right), our recent graduate in Religious Studies who received a university award as Most Diligent Student! Both Saviour and Andy are now experiencing their first jobs in education and computer science, respectively…they joined us at our Summer Summit ’26 in Nigeria, reading their own poetic creations of inspiration and self-affirmation.
And here’s to special donors who greatly assist our scholars’ tuitions, with special mention to the 7-time Grammy-winning “First Couple of Pop n’ Soul” Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. for their important and loving contribution, and to 6-time Grammy winning star of music legends, The 5th Dimension, Ms. Florence LaRue. We also thank renowned talent manager, Jason Winters plus music manager Susan Munao for their donations. And to the legacy manager of the late Laura Branigan, Kathy Keto Golick, and to the estate of the beloved Cathryn Taylor, MA, known as “The Mother of the Inner Child.” And to Steven Willensky, through the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. Steven is the brother of late, famed songwriter Elliot Willensky whose hits for Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson & The 5th Dimension are featured in the musical, “Elliot & Me.” Realtor Barbara Brady generously provided one full tuition, while others regularly support AAHEF with their modest but steady contributions. These tax-deductible donations to AAHEF go a long way to making the dreams of brilliant Nigerian collegiate scholars come true!
Cross-Cultural Voice-Acting! Seasoned voice-actor & coach, AAHEF’s very own Exec. Director Robert-Allan Arno conducted in spring ’23, a 6-week Master Class Series over Zoom, called “A Cross-Cultural Approach to Contemporary Voice-Acting.” Our AAHEF scholars were the participants (see collage). Robert shares, “It’s one of the most exhilarating series I’ve ever taught! What gifted students, bringing their unique voices to everything from promos to movie trailers to poetry and even Dr. King’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech. As such, our holistic approach at AAHEF facilitated the scholars’ confidence in oration and presentation.” Hear our premier AAHEF podcast, “America to Africa: A Cross-Cultural Experience,” highlighting the event, on Spotify at this link: https://open.spotify.com/show/1xdWdSwIWSvKgshBOEc0lh?si=40033fdc4b6f47b4
Hear our 2026 AAHEF tribute to Dr. King featuring our students & staff emoting his famed Nobel Prize Acceptance speech, here: https://youtu.be/NtOXsKOhNuM?si=8fYswyhWWshNnVMR
Contact
America to Africa Higher Education Foundation, Inc.
1500 Chestnut Street, Suite 2, #2126
Philadelphia, PA 19102
