The United States Embassy has selected 40 Nigerians to participate in the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship Programme for Young African Leaders.
According to Premium Times, the 40 Nigerian fellows were selected from over 7,000 Nigerian applicants and tens of thousands of others throughout Africa.
The report states that:
The program is an integral part of President Barack Obama’s commitment to invest in the future of Africa. The White House created this initiative in recognition of the critical and increasing role that young Africans play in strengthening democratic institutions, spurring economic growth, and enhancing peace and security.
During the 2014 edition of the program, the fellows engage in an intensive, six-week fellowship at 20 top U.S. universities. They also had the opportunity to participate in a presidential summit, hosted by President Obama in Washington, D.C.
Some fellows also completed internships with prestigious U.S. organisations like the Smithsonian Institution, the Brookings Institution, and Deloitte Consulting.
Congratulations to the fellows! Here is a full list of the 40 Nigerians chosen ( They are listed thus: Name, Discipline, University):
1. Alueshima Utasha, Public Management, Florida International University
2. Lukmon Buliameen, Business and Entrepreneurship, University of Wisconsin-Stout
3. Ikuba Ona, Civic Leadership, Arizona State University
4. Oluwaseyi Dara, Business and Entrepreneurship, University of Wisconsin-Stout
5. Catherine Edeh, Public Management, University of Minnesota
6. Ibrahim Balami, Business and Entrepreneurship, Clark Atlanta University
7. Nkemdilim Azinge, Civic Leadership, Rutgers University
8. Amina Alkali, Civic Leadership, University of Delaware
9. Grace Jerry, Civic Leadership, University of Virginia
10. Fatu Ogwuche, Public Management, Howard University
11. Rilwan Hassan, Business and Entrepreneurship, Northwestern University
12. Benjamin Dankaka, Public Management, Virginia Commonwealth University
13. Muhammad Saleh, Civic Leadership, Tulane University
14. Rukayya Sani, Civic Leadership, Wagner College
15. Haruna Ndahi, Business and Entrepreneurship, University of Nevada, Reno
16. Bobwealth Omontese, Public Management, Syracuse University
17. Chinomnso Ibe, Civic Leadership, Wagner College
18. Abiola Odunaiya, Civic Leadership, University of California Berkeley
19. Chioma Achi, Civic Leadership, University of California Berkeley
20. Jamila Mohammed, Public Management, Syracuse University
21. Mlumum Ikpaahindi, Public Management, University of Minnesota
22. Cynthia Chiamaka Ndubuisi, Business and Entrepreneurship, Dartmouth College
23. Abosede Oluwaseun Lewu, Business & Entrepreneurship, University of Notre Dame
24. Oluwafunmilayo Adebimpe Ilori, Business & Entrepreneurship, Clark Atlanta University
25. Adekunbi Gbemisola Adeoye, Business & Entrepreneurship, University of Texas at Austin
26. Damilola Opeyemi Sobowale, Business & Entrepreneurship, Clark Atlanta University
27. Anuoluwapo Oluyomi Akinola, Business & Entrepreneurship, Dartmouth College
28. Chioma Ilobekeme, Agha Business & Entrepreneurship, Dartmouth College
29. Ejiro Sharon Okotie, Civic Leadership, Arizona State University
30. Oluwafunmilola Wonsebolatan James, Civic Leadership, Tulane University
31. Glory Chinenye Oguegbu, Civic Leadership, University of Delaware
32. Ayoola Philip Adeniyi, Business & Entrepreneurship, University of Nevada-Reno
33. Oladipo Adesida, Business & Entrepreneurship, University of Nevada-Reno
34. Omotola Samuel Oni, Business & Entrepreneurship, Northwestern University
35. Oluwatimilehin Paul Olagunju, Civic Leadership, University of Virginia/College of William & Mary/Presidential Precinct
36. Olakunle Olusola Ajayi, Civic Leadership, Rutgers University
37. Olusola Samuel Owonikoko, Civic Leadership, Wagner College
38 Williams Kwame Rashidi, Civic Leadership, University of California, Berkeley
39. Olakunle Joel Adewale, Civic Leadership, Tulane University
40. Oluwamayowa Adepeju Salu, Civic Leadership, Arizona State University
Photo Credit: Premium Times
so dat whitish person na OBAMA abi, so na by force say una go use him poster snap odikwa egwu
a.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said..
.
See blessing frm above abeg… This guys wan enter my dream country…..
.
.
***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***
What a huge opportunity, Congrat to them. Hope they become great leaders and infleuncers in all sectors of our economy. Even some of us that don’t have the opportunity are always ready take up the challenge.
Besides, a viral change.org petition is on-going for the withdrawal of the honorary award given to the outgoing finance minister Ngozi. I don’t think she merit it, as i already state it with a feeling that such award is truly undeserve as the petitioner stated.
This is a lesson for me as always, i would rather strive for good name.
I represent Naija!
Make una go well and good luck!
I’ve met two of the forty. Dey sure: cool peeps and enterprising.
Wow… Ikuba congrats!!!! just had to comment on seeing your name here…#reppingUJAY #Greatchemist.
Yayyyyyyy for Nkem!!!! Congrats to the rest of you too 🙂
Ramblingsofmissmimi.wordpress.com
Congratulations to them.
I am still trying to understand that backdrop though…
Congratulations, to all of them.
A big congrats to my friend Mayowa Salu and indeed the entire group. All the best!
Wow! This is very good. CONGRATULATIONs to them all and to Nigeria/Nigerians’ also