Tinubu Lauds Nigerian Scientists and Engineers Featured in Biden’s Honours List

In a heartfelt tribute to exceptional talent, President Bola Tinubu extended his congratulations to six accomplished Nigerians in the Diaspora who have been recognized by U.S. President Joe Biden as recipients of the esteemed Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
This prestigious accolade, initiated in 1996 under the administration of President Bill Clinton, represents the pinnacle of recognition awarded by the United States government to promising scientists and engineers making groundbreaking contributions early in their careers.
A Global Spotlight on Nigerian Ingenuity
The announcement, made by President Biden on January 14, 2025, highlighted 400 exemplary individuals employed or supported by 14 U.S. federal agencies. Among them are six Nigerians whose groundbreaking endeavors in science, technology, and engineering have earned them a place of distinction.
President Tinubu, through a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, commended these trailblazing individuals for elevating Nigeria’s profile on the global stage. He remarked that their recognition underscores the boundless potential of Nigerians to excel both domestically and internationally.
Honorees and Their Contributions
The illustrious list of Nigerian awardees includes:
Azeez Butali, the Gilbert Lilly Endowed Professor of Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry, whose pioneering work continues to inspire innovation.
Ijeoma Opara, an Associate Professor of Public Health specializing in Social and Behavioral Sciences at Yale University’s School of Public Health, celebrated for her contributions to advancing community health.
Oluwatomi Akindele, a postdoctoral researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, whose efforts are shaping the future of applied science.
Eno Ebong, an Associate Professor specializing in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Biology at Northeastern University, whose research bridges complex scientific disciplines.
Oluwasanmi Koyejo, an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University, recognized for his transformative work in artificial intelligence and computational science.
Abidemi Ajiboye, Executive Vice Chair of the Case School of Engineering’s Department of Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, renowned for his advancements in biomedical technologies.
A Call for Collaboration
President Tinubu expressed optimism that these distinguished individuals will leverage their multidisciplinary expertise to contribute to Nigeria’s developmental aspirations, particularly within the framework of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Their achievements not only serve as an inspiration to millions but also reinforce the narrative of Nigeria’s vast intellectual wealth, capable of driving progress on a global scale.