56 Young Nigerians to Travel to the US As Part of 10th Anniversary of Nelson Mandela Washington Fellowship

By:U.S. MISSION NIGERIA

34 MINUTE READ

The U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria proudly unveils the selection of 56 distinguished young Nigerians for the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship program, celebrating its 10th anniversary. These fellows will travel to 28 cities across the United States from June 19 to August 1, culminating in a summit in Washington D.C., where they will engage with U.S. leaders in the business, government, and nonprofit sectors. Additionally, three fellows will participate in the Professional Development Experience at a U.S. organization for four weeks following the summit before returning to Nigeria.

Initiated in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders  stands as the cornerstone of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). This program is a testament to the enduring U.S. commitment to invest in Africa’s future. The fellowship offers a comprehensive program that includes academic coursework, leadership training, and networking opportunities.

Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria David J. Greene welcomed the 56 young Nigerians chosen for the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship, emphasizing the rigorous selection process and their ability to lead and inspire others. He highlighted the fellows’ diverse achievements and encouraged them to share their culture in the United States and use the fellowship to expand their influence in Nigeria. He expressed appreciation to the Public Diplomacy team and the State Department for their efforts in identifying future leaders and reminded the fellows of the importance of sharing their knowledge upon return to their communities.

Since the fellowship’s inception, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has had the privilege of supporting 569 young Nigerian leaders through this exchange program. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria eagerly anticipates the Mandela Washington Fellowship’s continued success and its positive impact in shaping Africa’s future.

The U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria is pleased to announce that the following Nigerians will participate in the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship:

  First Name Last Name Track Institute

1. Oluwatomisin Adeyefa Leadership in Civic Engagement University of Maryland, Baltimore County

2. Similoluwa Olusola Leadership in Public Management Syracuse University

3. Musa Yusuf Leadership in Business University of Notre Dame

4. Irene David-Arinze Leadership in Civic Engagement Michigan State University

5. Christiana Onoja Leadership in Business University of Notre Dame

6. Ifeoluwa Solomon Leadership in Business University of Texas at Austin

7. Olanike Timipa-Uge Leadership in Civic Engagement Florida Gulf Coast University

8. Murtala Abdullahi Leadership in Civic Engagement Michigan State University

9. Abdulsalam Ashade Leadership in Public Management Boise State University

10. Sarah Kuponiyi Leadership in Business Jackson State University

11. Nafisa Atiku-Abubakar Leadership in Civic Engagement The Presidential Precinct

12. Maryam Abdulkadir Leadership in Business University of Iowa

13. Joseph Waribugo Leadership in Civic Engagement Florida Gulf Coast University

14. Abubakar Abdurrahaman Leadership in Civic Engagement Drexel University

15. Obianuju Iloanya Leadership in Public Management Bridgewater State University

16. Wale Bakare Leadership in Business University of Nevada-Reno

17. Afeez Iyiola Leadership in Business University of Texas at Austin

18. Ahmad Abubakar Leadership in Civic Engagement The Presidential Precinct

19. Chioma Arum Leadership in Public Management Texas Tech University

20. Mariam Nurudeen-Arole Leadership in Public Management Arizona State University

21. Riliwan Amoo Leadership in Business Lehigh University

22. Isah Dahiru Leadership in Business Drake University

23. Saifullah Maishanu Leadership in Public Management Bridgewater State University

24. Margaret Wonah Leadership in Civic Engagement University of Maryland, Baltimore County

25. Chibuike Egbujiem Leadership in Business Clark Atlanta University

26. Aisha Rilwanu Sidi Leadership in Business Lehigh University

27. Festus Moses Leadership in Business Rutgers University

28. Paul Olubori Kehinde Leadership in Business University of Notre Dame

29. Nnene Bassey Leadership in Public Management Bridgewater State University

30. Mustapha Abubakar Leadership in Business University of Iowa

31. Basira Kankia Lawal Leadership in Public Management University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

32. Ruth Soronnadi Leadership in Public Management Georgia State University

33. Kingsley Kalu Leadership in Public Management University of California – Davis

34. Rabi’A Idrees Leadership in Business University of Texas at Austin

35. Ikechukwu Ogoegbulem Leadership in Public Management Arizona State University

36. Yahaya Suleiman Leadership in Public Management Georgia State University

37. Zakariyya Haruna Leadership in Civic Engagement Michigan State University

38. Odunayo Aliu Leadership in Civic Engagement Kansas State University

39. Babafemi Adewumi Leadership in Business Jackson State University

40. Michael Benjamin Leadership in Business University of Iowa

41. Aisha Suleiman Leadership in Business Rutgers University

42. Michael Oyalana Leadership in Business Clark Atlanta University

43. Serena Francis Leadership in Civic Engagement Louisiana State University

44. Iswat Badmus Leadership in Public Management Syracuse University

45. Oluwayemisi Oluyode Leadership in Public Management Texas Tech University

46. Oluwanifemi Ayeni Leadership in Civic Engagement University of Delaware

47. Chidimma Ajemba Leadership in Civic Engagement Louisiana State University

48. Michael Yusuf Leadership in Public Management Texas Tech University

49. Hafiz Mukhtar Musa Leadership in Public Management Wayne State University

50. James Akan Leadership in Public Management Georgia State University

51. Esther Eze Leadership in Business Drake University

52. Eva Chukwunelo Leadership in Civic Engagement Florida Gulf Coast University

53. Uchenna Okoro Leadership in Business Clark Atlanta University

54. Ibrahim Oladipo Leadership in Civic Engagement University of Delaware

55. Arinze Ajogwu Leadership in Civic Engagement University of Georgia

56. Roberta Oyedokun Leadership in Business Purdue University

The Mandela Washington Fellowship  is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship, visit mandelawashingtonfellowship.org .

Source: U.S Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria.