Nigeria Shines as Six Citizens Receive Prestigious US Presidential Award, Tinubu Lauds Awardees

In a remarkable display of intellectual prowess, six Nigerian scientists and engineers have been honoured with the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in the United States.

This award, established by former President Bill Clinton in 1996, is the highest recognition bestowed by the US government on outstanding scientists and engineers.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Nigerian awardees, saying, “The recognition of these exceptional talents underscores Nigerians’ vast potential to excel both at home and on the global stage.”

He expressed his expectation that the honourees will share their expertise to benefit Nigeria’s development efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

A statement from the White House obtained by Persecondnews said this year’s awardees are employed or funded by 14 participating government agencies.

The six distinguished Nigerians who received the award are: 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.

Others include, 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 achievement is a testament to the intellectual capabilities of Nigerians and their potential to make significant contributions to global scientific and technological advancements.