September 28, 2023

57 Exceptional Nigerians Chosen for the Prestigious 2023 Mandela Washington Fellowship Program: U.S. Mission Celebrates Emerging Leaders

57 Exceptional Nigerians Chosen for the Prestigious 2023 Mandela Washington Fellowship Program
57 Exceptional Nigerians Chosen for the Prestigious 2023 Mandela Washington Fellowship Program

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has unveiled the names of the 57 outstanding Nigerians selected for the 2023 cohort of the Mandela Washington Fellowship program. This flagship initiative of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) showcases the U.S. government’s commitment to investing in Africa’s future and empowering young leaders across the continent.

Launched in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is an esteemed program that brings together a diverse group of young individuals to partake in academic coursework, leadership training, and networking opportunities. The ultimate goal is to foster stronger connections between Africa and the United States and to create a brighter future for the African continent.

From June 21 to August 4, the Fellows will embark on a transformative journey across 28 American cities, participating in Leadership Institutes hosted by various American colleges and universities. In the final week of the program, the Nigerian Fellows will join their counterparts from other sub-Saharan countries in Washington D.C. for a Leadership Summit. The summit will include meetings with top U.S. government officials and influential private sector leaders, further expanding their network and potential opportunities.

During the pre-fellowship orientation reception, Charge d’Affaires David Greene emphasized the U.S. Mission’s dedication to supporting Nigerian youth and offering them opportunities to reach their full potential. Greene also highlighted the importance of the Mandela Washington Fellows in deepening the relationship between the United States and Nigeria.

Over the years, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has left a lasting impact on many young leaders from Nigeria. Since 2014, more than 500 Nigerian leaders have participated in the program, amplifying their voices, enhancing their skills, and creating a brighter future for their communities.

The U.S. Mission Nigeria said in a statement that it was honored to announce the latest cohort of Mandela Washington Fellows for 2023, a testament to the resilience, talent, and potential of the Nigerian youth.

 First NameLast NameTrackLeadership Institute
1AbdulrahmanAhmedLeadership in Public ManagementTexas Tech University
2Abiola  NurudeenDurodolaLeadership in Civic EngagementThe Presidential Precinct
3AbubakarUmarLeadership in Public ManagementUniversity of Minnesota – Twin Cities
4AdaezeMenekpugiLeadership in BusinessDrake University
5AishaAbdullahi BubahLeadership in BusinessDrake University
6AishaJaafarLeadership in Public Management Replacement candidate yet to be placed in an institute
7AnthonyOkoboshiLeadership in Public ManagementUniversity of California – Davis
8BlessingAshiLeadership in Civic EngagementUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County
9ChimdinduNeliaku-ChukwuLeadership in Public ManagementArizona State University
10ChukwuemekaUzohoLeadership in Public ManagementWayne State University
11ComfortEffiomLeadership in Public ManagementArizona State University
12DamilolaOligbindeLeadership in Public ManagementCornell University
13DiepriyeDiriLeadership in Civic EngagementMichigan State University
14EbenezarOkaforLeadership in Public ManagementWayne State University
15ElijahAffiLeadership in BusinessDrake University
16GabrielOgunsuaLeadership in BusinessLehigh University
17GeraldineOfulueLeadership in Public ManagementTexas Tech University
18GodspowerOyubuLeadership in Civic EngagementKansas State University
19GodwinHenryLeadership in Civic EngagementFlorida Gulf Coast University
20HashiduAminuLeadership in BusinessRutgers University
21HenriettaAneneLeadership in BusinessClark Atlanta University
22IbrahimHassanLeadership in Civic EngagementDrexel University
23JasperDeebariLeadership in Public ManagementUniversity of California – Davis
24JemimahDavid-MakeriLeadership in Civic EngagementMichigan State University
25JessicaObaLeadership in Public ManagementHoward University
26JuliusIloriLeadership in Civic EngagementUniversity of Delaware
27MahfuzAlabidunLeadership in Civic EngagementDrexel University
28MathiasPwolLeadership in BusinessJackson State University
29MichaelShowunmiLeadership in Civic EngagementUniversity of Georgia
30MohammedLawalLeadership in Civic EngagementThe Presidential Precinct
31MuhammadUsmanLeadership in BusinessPurdue University
32MuhammadYakubuLeadership in BusinessUniversity of Texas at Austin
33NkemakonamAguLeadership in BusinessDrake University
34NnannaJohnLeadership in BusinessUniversity of Notre Dame
35OkeogheneAkusuLeadership in Public ManagementBridgewater State University
36OluwafunkeAdeoyeLeadership in Civic EngagementUniversity of Georgia
37OluwatoyinOlufonLeadership in BusinessUniversity of Notre Dame
38OnyedikachiNwakanmaLeadership in Civic EngagementUniversity of Delaware
39OnyekaNwigweLeadership in Civic EngagementMichigan State University
40OsatoOmo-OsemwingieLeadership in BusinessPurdue University
41PraiseAkoboLeadership in Civic EngagementUniversity of Georgia 
42RabiSufiLeadership in Public ManagementWayne State University
43Saad AyodejiErubuLeadership in Public ManagementBridgewater State University
44SaheedIbrahimLeadership in Public ManagementSyracuse University
45SandraOrgu Leadership in Public ManagementTexas Tech University
46SundayOnucheLeadership in Civic EngagementUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County
47SusanneOgunleyeLeadership in BusinessUniversity of Nevada-Reno
48Sylvia Chioma ChigozieNwosuLeadership in Civic EngagementMichigan State University
49TereseAkpemLeadership in BusinessPurdue University 
50TestimonyAsiagwuLeadership in BusinessUniversity of Notre Dame
51UjuOnyekachiLeadership in BusinessUniversity of Notre Dame
52UyiEffiomLeadership in Public ManagementUniversity of California – Davis
53UyiosaObasohanLeadership in Public ManagementUniversity of Minnesota – Twin Cities
54VictoriaOgwanighieLeadership in BusinessClark Atlanta University
55VivianEzeonwumeluLeadership in Public ManagementSyracuse University
56YusufNurudeenLeadership in Public ManagementBridgewater State University
57ZainabAhmadLeadership in BusinessUniversity of Texas at Austin
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