56 Young Nigerians Selected for Prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship.

56 Young Nigerians Selected for 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship by the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria.

The U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria has announced the selection of 56 outstanding young Nigerians for the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship program. This marks the 10th anniversary of the program, which has been investing in Africa’s future leaders.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a highly competitive program that selects young leaders from across Africa for a six-week academic and leadership development program in the United States. This year’s fellows will travel to 28 cities across the U.S. from June 19 to August 1, where they will engage with American leaders in business, government, and non-profit sectors.

The program will culminate in a summit in Washington, D.C., where the fellows will have the opportunity to share their experiences and insights with American leaders. Three exceptional fellows will also be selected for a four-week Professional Development Experience at a U.S. organization.

The U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria has supported 569 young Nigerian leaders through the Mandela Washington Fellowship program since its inception. The program aims to promote cultural exchange between the U.S. and Nigeria, develop the leadership potential of young Africans, and invest in Africa’s future leaders.

Chargé d’Affaires David J. Greene of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria congratulated the selected fellows, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome this new cohort of young Nigerian leaders to the Mandela Washington Fellowship program. We are confident that they will make a lasting impact in their communities and contribute to a brighter future for Africa.”

The Mandela Washington Fellowship, the cornerstone of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is a life-changing opportunity for young African leaders to develop their skills, build networks, and make a positive impact in their communities. We wish the 2024 fellows all the best as they embark on this exciting journey!

Here are the names of the selected Nigerians, their tracks, and respective institutes:

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

– Similoluwa Olusola, Leadership in Public Management – Syracuse University

– Musa Yusuf, Leadership in Business – University of Notre Dame

– Irene David-Arinze, Leadership in Civic Engagement – Michigan State University

– Christiana Onoja, Leadership in Business – University of Notre Dame

– Ifeoluwa Solomon, Leadership in Business – University of Texas at Austin

– Olanike Timipa-Uge, Leadership in Civic Engagement – Florida Gulf Coast University

– Murtala Abdullahi, Leadership in Civic Engagement – Michigan State University

– Abdulsalam Ashade, Leadership in Public Management – Boise State University

– Sarah Kuponiyi, Leadership in Business – Jackson State University

– Nafisa Atiku-Abubakar, Leadership in Civic Engagement – The Presidential Precinct

– Maryam Abdulkadir, Leadership in Business – University of Iowa

– Joseph Waribugo, Leadership in Civic Engagement – Florida Gulf Coast University

– Abubakar Abdurrahaman, Leadership in Civic Engagement – Drexel University

– Obianuju Iloanya, Leadership in Public Management – Bridgewater State University

– Wale Bakare, Leadership in Business – University of Nevada-Reno

– Afeez Iyiola, Leadership in Business – University of Texas at Austin

– Ahmad Abubakar, Leadership in Civic Engagement – The Presidential Precinct

– Chioma Arum, Leadership in Public Management – Texas Tech University

– Mariam Nurudeen-Arole, Leadership in Public Management – Arizona State University

– Riliwan Amoo, Leadership in Business – Lehigh University

– Isah Dahiru, Leadership in Business – Drake University

– Saifullah Maishanu, Leadership in Public Management – Bridgewater State University

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

– Chibuike Egbujiem, Leadership in Business – Clark Atlanta University