President Bola Tinubu has extended heartfelt congratulations to six Nigerians recognized by U.S. President Joe Biden among the 400 recipients of the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The award, the highest honor given by the U.S. government to early-career scientists and engineers, was announced on January 14, 2025.
The PECASE, established in 1996 by President Bill Clinton, celebrates individuals demonstrating exceptional potential for leadership in science, technology, and engineering. This year’s Nigerian honorees represent excellence across diverse fields, with roles in leading U.S. institutions and government-funded projects.
The Nigerian recipients are: Azeez Butali: Gilbert Lilly Endowed Professor of Diagnostic Sciences, University of Iowa. Ijeoma Opara: Associate Professor of Public Health at Yale School of Public Health. Oluwatomi Akindele: Postdoctoral researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Eno Ebong: Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at Northeastern University. Oluwasanmi Koyejo: Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University. Abidemi Ajiboye: Executive Vice Chair of Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University.
In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu lauded the honorees for their groundbreaking contributions and emphasized that their achievements highlight the immense potential of Nigerians to thrive globally.
The president expressed optimism about the honorees’ ability to leverage their expertise for Nigeria’s development under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Tinubu’s commendation underscores his commitment to fostering innovation and scientific excellence as a cornerstone of national progress.
The recognition of these six trailblazers further reinforces the global influence of Nigeria’s diaspora in advancing science, technology, and engineering for the betterment of humanity.
