In the tranquil town of Kwoi, Kaduna State, a young girl named Suzie began a journey that would one day span continents and generations. Born into the Sauta Ngboodub family, to the late Mr. Daniel Sauta Ngboodub and the late Mrs. Tabitha Daniel Ngboodub, Suzie grew up in a home defined by warmth, humility, and enduring values. Her parents, both respected within their community, instilled in her an abiding belief in hard work, honesty, and compassion — qualities that would shape every chapter of her life.

From those modest beginnings emerged a woman whose vision would bridge two worlds — Africa and North America — through education, empowerment, and purpose. Today, Mrs. Suzie Ogiugo, founder and CEO of Canadian Bridge Academy (CBA), Abuja, stands as a testament to how determination and faith can transform humble origins into a legacy of impact.

Roots of Resilience
Growing up in Kwoi, young Suzie absorbed the lessons nof resilience from her parents and community. Her childhood was simple but rich with values — the kind that teach a person to appreciate life’s little blessings and work diligently toward their dreams. She displayed early signs of curiosity and leadership, often helping her peers and embracing learning as a joyful pursuit rather than a burden.
Her academic journey began at Girls High School, Kwoi, where her brilliance and discipline became evident. Later, she gained admission to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious institutions, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance, in 1988. Her years at ABU refined not only her intellect but also her purpose — she understood that education could open doors not just for personal advancement, but for the progress of entire communities.

From the Classroom to Corporate Halls
After university, Suzie embarked on a professional journey that exposed her to the inner workings of Nigeria’s financial and public sectors. Her career path was marked by consistency, discipline, and a desire to learn and excel in every role she undertook.
She began her post-graduation experience during the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Nigerian Agricultural Bank, Sokoto, where she gained firsthand exposure to agricultural financing and the importance of supporting small-scale farmers — a vital lesson in economic empowerment.
Following her service year, she joined the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) in Lagos as a Commercial Officer, where she honed her skills in client relations, business development, and organizational administration. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to balance structure with creativity quickly distinguished her as a dependable and insightful professional.
Suzie’s growing expertise in finance and business later took her to Finance House, Lagos, a role that deepened her understanding of the country’s evolving financial landscape. There, she developed strong competencies in investment planning, financial analysis, and risk management — skills that would become the foundation of her later success in the global banking industry.
Her final Nigerian appointment before emigrating was with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, where she contributed to programs that helped Nigerians access housing finance. This period was instrumental in reinforcing her belief that financial systems could and should serve people — improving lives and enabling stability.
Through each role, Suzie built not just a résumé, but a reputation for integrity and diligence. Her colleagues and superiors admired her professionalism and work ethic — qualities that would later define her international career and leadership in education.

A Leap of Faith: Building a New Life in Canada
In 2006, driven by courage and the desire to explore greater horizons, Suzie took a bold step and emigrated to Canada. Like many who leave the familiar for the unknown, her transition demanded adaptability, patience, and strength. Yet she approached it with the same grace and determination that had guided her life from the beginning.
In Canada, Suzie continued her professional evolution, joining TD Canada Trust, one of the nation’s leading financial institutions. There, she worked as a Financial Advisor and Investment Consultant, guiding clients toward smarter financial decisions and long-term stability. Her expertise, empathy, and professionalism quickly earned her the respect of both colleagues and clients.
She later became a member of the Institute of Canadian Bankers, a recognition of her excellence in the financial sector and her commitment to continuous learning. Suzie’s Canadian experience broadened her worldview, teaching her the power of cross-cultural understanding, the importance of structure in education, and the value of systems that nurture people’s potential.
Despite her growing success abroad, her heart remained deeply tied to Nigeria. She often reflected on the brilliance of Nigerian youth — their drive, intelligence, and creativity — and wondered what could be achieved if they had the same access to mentorship, global exposure, and quality education that she now witnessed in Canada.

The Birth of a Vision: Canadian Bridge Academy
That reflection blossomed into a mission. In 2016, Suzie transformed her long-held dream into reality with the founding of the Canadian Bridge Academy (CBA) in Abuja. Her goal was simple yet profound: to create an institution that would prepare young Nigerians for success in global academic and professional environments.
The name Canadian Bridge perfectly captured her vision — to bridge continents, cultures, and opportunities. Through CBA, she has provided hundreds of young Nigerians with the tools, guidance, and confidence to thrive abroad. Since its inception, the academy has successfully helped over 100 students transition to universities in Canada and other parts of the world, many of whom have gone on to excel academically and professionally.
But beyond statistics, CBA embodies Suzie’s belief that education is the most powerful bridge to transformation. The academy combines rigorous academic preparation with life skills, mentorship, and personal development, ensuring that students are not only intellectually equipped but also emotionally and culturally ready for the world beyond Nigeria.

A Leader with Heart and Vision
Suzie’s leadership is characterized by empathy, excellence, and quiet strength. Her approach is collaborative and nurturing, creating a sense of family within her organization. She is both mentor and motivator — approachable yet firm, kind yet uncompromising on standards. To her students, she is not just an founder and CEO but a role model and guide.
Her philosophy is simple: when you lift others, you rise too. That belief fuels her mentorship programs, her community outreach, and her personal investment in the lives of those around her. Many of her students and staff members testify that her presence alone inspires confidence and a desire to do better.

Family, Faith, and Fulfillment
Despite her demanding professional schedule, Suzie remains grounded in the love and stability of her family. She is happily married and blessed with four amazing adult children, each pursuing their own dreams with the same values of integrity, humility, and hard work she has modeled. Her family is both her greatest pride and her enduring source of strength.
Away from work, Suzie finds joy in traveling and exploring new cultures, experiences that have enriched her perspective on life and leadership. She loves reading, often immersing herself in literature that expands her worldview and deepens her understanding of humanity. For her, learning never stops — whether through books, journeys, or the people she meets along the way.
Giving Back, Building Forward
Returning to Nigeria to establish the Canadian Bridge Academy was not an act of nostalgia — it was an act of purpose. “I went abroad to learn — but I came home to build,” she often says. Through CBA, she continues to invest her experience, knowledge, and compassion into shaping future leaders who can think globally while acting locally.
Her story challenges the traditional narrative of brain drain. Instead, she represents brain circulation — using international exposure to strengthen homegrown development. Her model of education doesn’t just prepare students for the world; it prepares them to change it.

The Journey Continues
As Canadian Bridge Academy continues to grow, Suzie remains focused on expansion, innovation, and excellence. Her vision for the next decade includes deeper partnerships with local and international institutions, scholarship programs for underprivileged students, and the integration of technology to keep Nigerian education globally competitive.
From the red earth of Kwoi to the skyscrapers of Toronto, and back to the classrooms of Abuja, Suzie Ogiugo’s journey is a powerful reminder that the true measure of success lies in the lives we uplift.
“I’ve seen what education can do,” she says. “It gave me wings — and now, I help others fly.”
And indeed, through her work, Suzie has become more than an educator — she has become the bridge that connects dreams to destiny.