Ebi Obaro: Building educational bridges between Nigeria and Canada

Ebi Obaro is a distinguished Canadian education and immigration consultant and entrepreneur, widely recognised for her pivotal role in strengthening educational ties between Nigeria and Canada for over two decades. She previously served as Chairperson of the Nigerian-Canadian Business Association (NCBA), a position she held from 2021.

In 2003, Ebi founded Maple Education Canada Inc. in Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada, expanding operations to Nigeria in 2004. Under her leadership, the organisation has supported more than 10,000 Nigerian students in accessing quality education in Canada. What began in 2000 as a simple request to help a friend secure an affordable Canadian school for a child has since evolved into one of Nigeria’s most established Canadian education and immigration consultancy firms. Today, Maple Education operates offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, maintaining affiliations with over 65 Canadian schools, colleges, and universities.

To meet the regulatory standards of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the organisation is supported by a team of four experienced Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants who provide tailored immigration advisory services to international clients. Through Maple Education Canada, Ebi has also partnered with several state governments in Nigeria to facilitate scholarship opportunities for their indigenes to study in Canada.

Recognising the growing demand for quality international education and the challenges students sometimes encounter in meeting Canadian immigration criteria, Ebi founded Worldwide Integrated Network & Education (WINE) in 2006. The organisation assists Nigerian students in exploring educational opportunities across leading global destinations beyond Canada. For over 16 years, WINE has helped students secure admission into reputable institutions worldwide while providing structured guidance through admissions and visa processes. The organisation maintains partnerships with institutions across the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Europe, delivering personalised advisory services to prospective students.

In 2019, Maple Canadian College (MCC) was established by Maple Education Canada Inc. to provide African students with direct access to internationally recognised academic pathways. MCC offers the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) program for students in Grades 10 to 12, effectively bridging the gap between the West African secondary school curriculum and the Canadian high school system. The program prepares Nigerian and international students for university education in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Europe. Located in Lekki, Lagos, MCC features modern learning facilities, including advanced classrooms, laboratories, and collaborative study environments designed to support a 21st-century learning experience.

Further expanding her vision for global mobility, Ebi established Mobility Options Consulting Ltd. in 2021. The firm provides clients with customised pathways to residency and citizenship-by-investment programs, facilitating legitimate global mobility solutions through partnerships with governments and international institutions.

Despite being offered several honorary doctorate degrees (honoris causa) by international universities, Ebi has consistently declined such recognitions, choosing instead to focus on the measurable impact of her work. Through the organisations she founded, she has received numerous accolades, including the Best Partner Canada Award by Navitas, the Excellence in Education Award from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, British Airways’ Best Partner with Group Sales Award in 2021, and the Outstanding Support Award in the North/West Africa Roadshow in 2023 by Illume Consulting.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Maple Education Canada, Ebi led several philanthropic initiatives, including sponsoring the continued undergraduate education of a female student at the University of Lagos and supporting students at the University of Ilorin in 2023. As an indigene of Bayelsa State, she also funded the full renovation of Odi Government Secondary School and implemented water borehole projects in the community.

Through her organisations, Ebi currently employs more than 65 professionals dedicated to advancing education, mobility, and global opportunities for students and families.

Ebi Obaro’s work reflects a firm belief that education is a transformative force—one capable of expanding opportunities, empowering communities, and shaping the next generation of global leaders.