In a recent interview with Aspire Institute, Charles Ogbodo, a 2024 Aspire Leaders Program alum from Nigeria and founder of The Varlc Project (Varlc), a Nigeria-based education technology company, shared his journey of resilience—from overcoming early challenges to excelling in college. He highlighted how the Aspire Leaders Program helped shape his goals and build Varlc. His company has now impacted thousands of students by fostering a community for sharing and enhancing learning materials for Nigerian university students. Ogbodo remains an active alum, forming a partnership between Varlc and Aspire.
Ogbodo’s Journey in Education as a First-Generation University Student
When Ogbodo lost his father at four years old, his uncle took him in and ensured he received an education. However, when his uncle ran out of money, he turned to scholarships to take his high school exams and attend University of Nigeria. Here, he studied civil engineering.
He faced challenges as a first-generation university student – especially those associated with not owning technology like a smart phone or laptop. Communication with professors and peers proved difficult at times. However, in his third year, he was awarded another scholarship which began to change the narrative for him. He also excelled in his coursework, allowing him to meet more people invested in their studies like him.
During his third year, Ogbodo alongside some friends and another Aspire Leaders Program alum, Godwin Obi, started the University of Nigeria Scholars Accelerator. This initiative aimed to bring together the top 1% of students who were interested in developing themselves and addressing challenges around them. His network of contacts from his previous scholarships enabled him to build a community around this idea.
Ogbodo’s Journey with the Aspire Leaders Program
Ogbodo first discovered the Aspire Leaders Program through a mutual friend in the Nigeria Scholars Accelerator. Once he began hearing about the program from others too, it piqued his interest. Despite his worries about balancing the Aspire Leaders Program with other things in his life, he decided to apply to the program.
“With or without title, every young person is a leader,” he said when asked about his takeaways from the Aspire Leaders Program. “If your actions inspire others to do more, dream more, or become more, you are a leader.”
Additionally, Ogbodo walked away with some practical professional skills as well such as knowledge that a CV and resume are different, emergency medicine skills everyone should know from a Masterclass, and an overall feeling of empowerment for change.
From Passion to Purpose: The Founding of Varlc and Its Growing Impact
If you make your passion your profession, then excellence will come
During his second year of university, Ogbodo met a friend whose architectural talent and self-taught expertise in technology he greatly admired. Driven by their shared passion for education and helping others, the two decided to start a company aimed at supporting students. Although the partnership eventually dissolved, Ogbodo continued to take on small projects for his former partner, refining his skills and gaining valuable experience.
“If you make your passion your profession, then excellence will come,” he reflected.
Realizing his continued passion for academics and a drive to help others, Ogbodo persevered. Today, his education technology company, Varlc, has supported over 2,000 students—a milestone that not only underscores the impact of his work but also revealed his own untapped potential.
Studying in overcrowded classrooms at his Nigerian public university, Ogbodo noticed both challenges and opportunities. His own experience revealed the power of peer-to-peer learning and additional resources to compliment his lectures.
These insights led to founding The Varlc Project (Varlc), a technology-driven initiative that focuses on greater access to quality education and fostering supportive student communities. By connecting learners who help each other navigate academic material, Varlc creates an environment where students feel empowered to persist in their university journey.
“We make learning affordable to students, especially those who didn’t have the privileges of attending the high paying colleges or high schools before they came to the university,” Ogbodo said. “So it’s about making access to quality education available to as many Nigerian students as possible.”
A Shared Vision Between Varlc and Aspire
The mission of Varlc complements Aspire Institute’s commitment to nurturing leadership, professional development, and a drive to continue their journey in academia or other pursuits. The partnership between Varlc and Aspire Institute has the potential to amplify their shared missions, creating opportunities through an expanding network of first-generation university students, educators, and mentors worldwide.
“I feel the mission of Aspire trying to help young first-gen students from low income families around the world has an alignment with what we do,” Ogbodo expressed. “I want to give back to the student community and having Aspire now also means that there are better opportunities for them to learn more about their self-development and even professional development. So, I see we have impacts in common.”
This synergy was evident during a recent joint information session that drew interest from hundreds of Nigeria students. Ogbodo and Godwin Obi, a 2022 Aspire Leaders Program alumnus now pursuing his PhD at Princeton University, shared their experiences to inspire potential 2025 Aspire Leaders Program participants. Obi emphasized that the teamwork and crucial leadership skills gained in the program will benefit them in both academic and professional settings. For Ogbodo, hearing alumni stories motivated him to seize the opportunity himself – inspiration he now pays forward to prospective students at public universities across Nigeria through Varlc and the sharing about the Aspire Leaders Program.
