 Ijalana's parents immigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria.A native of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Ijalana attended Willingboro High School in his freshman and sophomore year, before moving to Hainesport Township and transferring to Rancocas Valley Regional High School, where he was a two-way lineman, and district champion in wrestling.He started every game at left tackle since his true freshman year at Villanova.