Chikaodili holds a Master of Environmental Planning and Protection (MEPP)    from the University of Abuja, Nigeria (2012). In 2019, she won a fully funded scholarship (Orange Knowledge Programme) as a NUFFIC Fellow by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands, for a master's degree, Master of Arts in Development Studies at ISS Erasmus University Rotterdam, majoring in Human Rights, Gender and Conflict Studies (Social Justice Perspective). Chikaodili is a PhD student in Development Studies at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Chikaodili’s PhD research project is on “Climate Change Adaptation and the Implementation of the Great Green Wall Initiative: Exploring the Experiences of the Rural Gabasawa Communities in Kano State, Nigeria”. The climate change multifaceted challenges on the ecosystem and the livelihood of the vulnerable communities, demands people-cantered adaptation strategy to combat the existential threats for a sustainable future.

The Balzan prize will significantly support Chikaodili’s PhD research project with fieldwork and data collection, travel expenses to the study area, accommodation, a research assistant, and a language translator engagement. In addition, this support will allow Chikaodili to attend conferences and workshops to present her findings for valuable feedback. Also, professional growth opportunities that will improve my PhD research work will be gained.