Fulbright Appoints Nigerian-Born Professor Mojubaolu Okome to National Screening Committee
Nigerian-born political scientist Mojubaolu Okome has been appointed to the Fulbright U.S. Student Programme National Screening Committee, where she will help evaluate applications from American students seeking international academic opportunities.
Okome, a professor of Political Science at Brooklyn College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY), will serve on the committee responsible for the Africa, West/Central 2 region. The programme provides opportunities for American students to study, teach and conduct research abroad.
Brooklyn College announced her appointment, which Okome described as personally significant given the challenges she encountered while building her academic career.
Reflecting on her doctoral studies at Columbia University, the professor said she struggled to access academic opportunities without adequate institutional guidance or professional support. She explained that she had to rely on persistence and personal initiative to navigate the academic system and establish herself.
According to Okome, those experiences influenced her decision to help others access opportunities they might otherwise overlook. She said her new role would allow her to contribute to a selection process grounded in fairness, diligence and respect for every applicant.
The professor encouraged students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds who may doubt their competitiveness, to apply for the Fulbright programme rather than rule themselves out prematurely.
She also advised prospective applicants to seek constructive feedback and familiarise themselves with the application process. She urged established academics to support emerging scholars by sharing their experience and helping them navigate professional opportunities.
Okome's appointment highlights the participation of Nigerian scholars in the diaspora in international academic initiatives and her commitment to making educational opportunities more accessible.
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