Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
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 Name | Last Name | Track | Leadership Institute | |
1 | Abdulrahman | Ahmed | Leadership in Public Management | Texas Tech University |
2 | Abiola Nurudeen | Durodola | Leadership in Civic Engagement | The Presidential Precinct |
3 | Abubakar | Umar | Leadership in Public Management | University of Minnesota – Twin Cities |
4 | Adaeze | Menekpugi | Leadership in Business | Drake University |
5 | Aisha | Abdullahi Bubah | Leadership in Business | Drake University |
6 | Aisha | Jaafar | Leadership in Public Management | Replacement candidate yet to be placed in an institute |
7 | Anthony | Okoboshi | Leadership in Public Management | University of California – Davis |
8 | Blessing | Ashi | Leadership in Civic Engagement | University of Maryland, Baltimore County |
9 | Chimdindu | Neliaku-Chukwu | Leadership in Public Management | Arizona State University |
10 | Chukwuemeka | Uzoho | Leadership in Public Management | Wayne State University |
11 | Comfort | Effiom | Leadership in Public Management | Arizona State University |
12 | Damilola | Oligbinde | Leadership in Public Management | Cornell University |
13 | Diepriye | Diri | Leadership in Civic Engagement | Michigan State University |
14 | Ebenezar | Okafor | Leadership in Public Management | Wayne State University |
15 | Elijah | Affi | Leadership in Business | Drake University |
16 | Gabriel | Ogunsua | Leadership in Business | Lehigh University |
17 | Geraldine | Ofulue | Leadership in Public Management | Texas Tech University |
18 | Godspower | Oyubu | Leadership in Civic Engagement | Kansas State University |
19 | Godwin | Henry | Leadership in Civic Engagement | Florida Gulf Coast University |
20 | Hashidu | Aminu | Leadership in Business | Rutgers University |
21 | Henrietta | Anene | Leadership in Business | Clark Atlanta University |
22 | Ibrahim | Hassan | Leadership in Civic Engagement | Drexel University |
23 | Jasper | Deebari | Leadership in Public Management | University of California – Davis |
24 | Jemimah | David-Makeri | Leadership in Civic Engagement | Michigan State University |
25 | Jessica | Oba | Leadership in Public Management | Howard University |
26 | Julius | Ilori | Leadership in Civic Engagement | University of Delaware |
27 | Mahfuz | Alabidun | Leadership in Civic Engagement | Drexel University |
28 | Mathias | Pwol | Leadership in Business | Jackson State University |
29 | Michael | Showunmi | Leadership in Civic Engagement | University of Georgia |
30 | Mohammed | Lawal | Leadership in Civic Engagement | The Presidential Precinct |
31 | Muhammad | Usman | Leadership in Business | Purdue University |
32 | Muhammad | Yakubu | Leadership in Business | University of Texas at Austin |
33 | Nkemakonam | Agu | Leadership in Business | Drake University |
34 | Nnanna | John | Leadership in Business | University of Notre Dame |
35 | Okeoghene | Akusu | Leadership in Public Management | Bridgewater State University |
36 | Oluwafunke | Adeoye | Leadership in Civic Engagement | University of Georgia |
37 | Oluwatoyin | Olufon | Leadership in Business | University of Notre Dame |
38 | Onyedikachi | Nwakanma | Leadership in Civic Engagement | University of Delaware |
39 | Onyeka | Nwigwe | Leadership in Civic Engagement | Michigan State University |
40 | Osato | Omo-Osemwingie | Leadership in Business | Purdue University |
41 | Praise | Akobo | Leadership in Civic Engagement | University of Georgia |
42 | Rabi | Sufi | Leadership in Public Management | Wayne State University |
43 | Saad Ayodeji | Erubu | Leadership in Public Management | Bridgewater State University |
44 | Saheed | Ibrahim | Leadership in Public Management | Syracuse University |
45 | Sandra | Orgu | Leadership in Public Management | Texas Tech University |
46 | Sunday | Onuche | Leadership in Civic Engagement | University of Maryland, Baltimore County |
47 | Susanne | Ogunleye | Leadership in Business | University of Nevada-Reno |
48 | Sylvia Chioma Chigozie | Nwosu | Leadership in Civic Engagement | Michigan State University |
49 | Terese | Akpem | Leadership in Business | Purdue University |
50 | Testimony | Asiagwu | Leadership in Business | University of Notre Dame |
51 | Uju | Onyekachi | Leadership in Business | University of Notre Dame |
52 | Uyi | Effiom | Leadership in Public Management | University of California – Davis |
53 | Uyiosa | Obasohan | Leadership in Public Management | University of Minnesota – Twin Cities |
54 | Victoria | Ogwanighie | Leadership in Business | Clark Atlanta University |
55 | Vivian | Ezeonwumelu | Leadership in Public Management | Syracuse University |
56 | Yusuf | Nurudeen | Leadership in Public Management | Bridgewater State University |
57 | Zainab | Ahmad | Leadership in Business | University of Texas at Austin |