The Ogunbayos’ American Dream

Musiliu Ogunbayo always wanted to be a nurse. His wife, Tobi, dreamt of becoming a doctor.

Musiliu won a visa lottery to come to the United States. He got a job washing dishes, applied to nursing school and Tobi was able to join him two years later.

Medallion Fund scholarships helped him become a licensed practical nurse and then an R.N. He works full-time, overnights, at a mental health center and part-time at a psychiatric hospital.

Tobi became an L.P.N. with help from the Medallion Fund, and has since completed her degree to become an R.N. Next, both plan to study for their bachelor’s degrees.

Nursing is not just a job, or a step for this family up the economic ladder.

“We are able to contribute to humanity by preserving human dignity and freedom from suffering,” Musiliu says. “The fact that we have a great career and job security that will afford us to live the American Dream is a blessing.”

The Ogunbayos own their home, around the corner from a country club. Six-year-old Christiana is in kindergarten, 4-year-old Michael is in preschool and 6-month-old Liliana is in diapers.

“We look forward to a very beautiful and bright future for the kids,” Tobi says.

“We hope to give back, also, and help other people achieve their dreams.”