President Bola Tinubu has commended six distinguished Nigerian scientists and engineers recognized by the United States government as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The award, established in 1996 by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, is the highest accolade bestowed by the U.S. government on early-career scientists and engineers for their exceptional contributions to their fields.
The honorees were among 400 recipients announced on January 14, 2025, by U.S. President Joe Biden. These individuals were selected from 14 U.S. government agencies for their groundbreaking achievements in science, technology, and engineering.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu lauded the six Nigerians for their remarkable accomplishments, which he said have elevated the country’s global profile.
The celebrated Nigerians include:
- Azeez Butali, Gilbert Lilly Endowed Professor of Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa.
- Ijeoma Opara, Associate Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences), Yale School of Public Health, Yale University.
- Oluwatomi Akindele, Postdoctoral Researcher, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
- Eno Ebong, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Biology, Northeastern University.
- Oluwasanmi Koyejo, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Stanford University.
- Abidemi Ajiboye, Executive Vice Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University.
“The Nigerian leader notes that recognising these exceptional talents underscores Nigerians’ vast potential to excel both at home and on the global stage,” the statement read.
President Tinubu expressed optimism about the honorees’ potential contributions to Nigeria’s development through the Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing the importance of leveraging their multidisciplinary expertise to advance national growth.
This recognition highlights not only the individuals’ dedication and excellence but also Nigeria’s capacity to nurture talents that shine on the world stage. The honorees’ achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring scientists and engineers, reinforcing the global impact of Nigerian professionals in advancing science and technology.
