[2] Nwaba attended the University of California, Santa Barbara on academic grounds, intending to study optometry,[3] ultimately graduating in 2012 with a degree in sociology.

[4] She finished her career as the champion of the Big West Conference heptathlon in 2012 en route to being named an All-American.

[18] Barbara Nwaba is the 2016 American Pentathlon Champion and qualified to represent the USA at the 2016 World Indoor Championships in Athletics.

[19] Barbara Nwaba earned a bronze medal behind Brianne Theisen-Eaton and Alina Fyodorova in the Pentathlon at the 2016 World Indoor Championships scoring 4661 points.

[20] Barbara Nwaba scored 6494 points in the Heptathlon to join Team USA teammates Heather Miller-Koch and Kendell Williams at the 2016 United States Olympic Trials.