osakwe was born in nigeria on 2 september 1981. she attended secondary school in lagos for her a-level education, and graduated from the university of hull, in the united kingdom, with a bachelor of science in economics. her master of science in economics and finance was obtained from the university of warwick, also in the uk. she also holds a master of business administration, obtained from the kellogg school of management, at northwestern university, in evanston, illinois in the united states.