U.S. Celebrates Nigerian Mandela Washington Fellows, Honors Top Alumni

Fifty-four young Nigerian professionals who completed the prestigious 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) for Young African Leaders were celebrated at a Welcome Reception hosted by the U.S. Mission in Lagos. The event recognized their achievements in business, civic leadership, and public management.

The Fellows were selected from over 7,400 applicants across sub-Saharan Africa, joining a 14,000-strong network of U.S. government exchange alumni. U.S. Consul General Rick Swart encouraged the Fellows to leverage their experiences to drive positive change and strengthen collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.

Ten exceptional alumni received awards highlighting their contributions to leadership, innovation, and community service. Among the honorees, Aishah Buba earned the Trailblazer Award for her advocacy on mental health, while Adepeju Jaiyeoba and Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti were recognized for enterprise and technology innovation, respectively.

Other award recipients included Debola Deji-Kurunmi and Grace Jerry for distinguished leadership and service, Asher Adeniyi for youth empowerment, Oluwafunke Adeoye for civic engagement, and Chimdi Neliaku for public management excellence.

Since its inception in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has empowered thousands of young leaders across Africa. Nigeria has contributed the largest number of participants, with 678 young professionals engaged in the program to date.

The reception in Lagos marked both a homecoming and an opportunity for networking, reinforcing the Fellows’ role as catalysts for sustainable development in their communities.

Consul General Swart emphasized the long-term impact of the program, stating that the skills and networks gained during the Fellowship will continue to shape Nigeria’s future leadership landscape.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship remains a cornerstone initiative for nurturing Africa’s next generation of leaders, blending academic exposure in the U.S. with practical engagement and local impact upon return.