NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – When Ibrahim Kondeh walks across the University of Oklahoma’s graduation stage with a master’s degree in management of information technology from the Price College of Business, he will carry with him a story of extraordinary resilience, courage and hope. It’s a story that spans continents, cultures and countless obstacles.
Born in a small village in Sierra Leone with no running water, no formal school and no nearby hospitals, Kondeh’s early life was defined by hardship. His mother, recognizing education as the key to a better future, sent him to live with relatives in the city when he was 6 years old to pursue schooling. But after the loss of his father, he was forced to leave school and work to help support his family.
“My dad died in 2013 when I was around middle school age,” he said. “My mom tried to keep me in school, but there came a time when she just couldn’t do it anymore because she made less than $1 per day.”
Driven by a desire to seek a better life, Kondeh left home at just 16 years old. Alone, he crossed multiple countries in West and North Africa, often sleeping outside, working odd jobs in construction and farming, and constantly facing difficult conditions. When he arrived in Libya’s capital city, Tripoli, he was held in captivity until he could pay $400 for his freedom.
“I worked in the fields when there was any work to be had, but it paid so little, and every dollar went to my captors. Luckily, I made friends with a security guard who helped me escape and cross the Mediterranean Sea to Italy on a dinghy,” he said. “I wasn’t scared about dying, honestly, because I lived in a place where I wasn’t sure if I’d see the next minute or the next second. Everything depended on luck.”
After surviving captivity in Libya and an unimaginable journey across the Mediterranean Sea, he arrived in Reggio Calabria, Italy as a refugee. Despite facing language barriers, isolation and bureaucratic challenges, Kondeh remained steadfast in his commitment to education.
“I needed a phone so I could teach myself Italian, but I could only earn €5 a day working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a local beach. It took me a month to save €150 to buy a mobile phone,” he said.
Teaching himself Italian through mobile apps and local classes, he fought through isolation and uncertainty with a steadfast focus on his education. After passing a middle school equivalency exam, he continued to seek out opportunities for growth. He eventually applied for and was awarded a scholarship to study the International Baccalaureate program at United World College of the Adriatic, an international school where he reignited his dream of higher education. He was 20 years old.
After two years at UWC, Kondeh applied to eight universities to continue his education journey in the United States. Because of OU’s strong sense of community and vibrant international student presence, he ultimately made Norman his new home in 2021.
“OU gave me more than just an education, it gave me a family, a community and a chance to dream bigger. The kindness I experienced here was unlike anything I had ever known,” he said.
Kondeh earned undergraduate degrees in accounting and management information systems and is now completing a master’s degree in management information technology through the Price College of Business. He thrived academically, participated in leadership organizations like the President’s Leadership Class and the JCPenney Leadership Program, and found lifelong mentors who encouraged and inspired him.
Beyond the classroom, Kondeh remains committed to giving back. In 2022, he founded the IKON Initiative, a nonprofit aimed at improving educational opportunities for children in his hometown. Through grants, including a prestigious Projects for Peace award sponsored by OU and UWC, he has funded clean water systems, built restroom facilities, supplied school materials and established a small library to support future generations.
“In my hometown in Sierra Leone, 95% of people cannot read or write, including my own parents. And many people still live in abject poverty,” he said. “Education gave me my life back. Now, it’s my mission to ensure other kids have that same chance.”
After graduation, Kondeh will join Ernst & Young in Houston as a Technology Risk Assurance staff member. It’s an opportunity that seemed unimaginable just a few years ago.
“I wasn't born a Sooner, but when I die, I'll be a Sooner,” he said. “OU changed my life forever.”
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
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