56 Young Nigerians To Travel To The U.S. As Part Of The 10th Anniversary Of The Mandela Washington Fellowship

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:

27.FestusMosesLeadership in BusinessRutgers University

28.Paul OluboriKehindeLeadership in BusinessUniversity of Notre Dame

29.NneneBasseyLeadership in Public ManagementBridgewater State University

30.MustaphaAbubakarLeadership in BusinessUniversity of Iowa

31.Basira KankiaLawalLeadership in Public ManagementUniversity of Minnesota – Twin Cities

32.RuthSoronnadiLeadership in Public ManagementGeorgia State University

33.KingsleyKaluLeadership in Public ManagementUniversity of California – Davis

34.Rabi’AIdreesLeadership in BusinessUniversity of Texas at Austin

35.IkechukwuOgoegbulemLeadership in Public ManagementArizona State University

36.YahayaSuleimanLeadership in Public ManagementGeorgia State University

37.ZakariyyaHarunaLeadership in Civic EngagementMichigan State University

38.OdunayoAliuLeadership in Civic EngagementKansas State University

39.BabafemiAdewumiLeadership in BusinessJackson State University

40.MichaelBenjaminLeadership in BusinessUniversity of Iowa

41.AishaSuleimanLeadership in BusinessRutgers University

42.MichaelOyalanaLeadership in BusinessClark Atlanta University

43.SerenaFrancisLeadership in Civic EngagementLouisiana State University

44.IswatBadmusLeadership in Public ManagementSyracuse University

45.OluwayemisiOluyodeLeadership in Public ManagementTexas Tech University

46.OluwanifemiAyeniLeadership in Civic EngagementUniversity of Delaware

47.ChidimmaAjembaLeadership in Civic EngagementLouisiana State University

48.MichaelYusufLeadership in Public ManagementTexas Tech University

49.Hafiz MukhtarMusaLeadership in Public ManagementWayne State University

50.JamesAkanLeadership in Public ManagementGeorgia State University

51.EstherEzeLeadership in BusinessDrake University

52.EvaChukwuneloLeadership in Civic EngagementFlorida Gulf Coast University

53.UchennaOkoroLeadership in BusinessClark Atlanta University

54.IbrahimOladipoLeadership in Civic EngagementUniversity of Delaware

55.ArinzeAjogwuLeadership in Civic EngagementUniversity of Georgia

56.RobertaOyedokunLeadership in BusinessPurdue 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 .