President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated the exceptional achievements of six Nigerian scientists and engineers who were recently named among the 400 recipients of the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) by United States President Joe Biden.
The PECASE, established in 1996 by then-President Bill Clinton, is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to outstanding scientists and engineers in the formative years of their research careers. This year’s recipients, announced on January 14, 2025, were selected for their groundbreaking contributions and are affiliated with or funded by 14 U.S. government agencies.
The Nigerian honorees include:
1. Azeez Butali – Gilbert Lilly Endowed Professor of Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa.
2. Ijeoma Opara – Associate Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences), Yale School of Public Health, Yale University.
3. Oluwatomi Akindele – Postdoctoral Researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
4. Eno Ebong – Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Biology, Northeastern University.
5. Oluwasanmi Koyejo – Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Stanford University.
6. Abidemi Ajiboye – Executive Vice Chair, Case School of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University.
In a statement, President Tinubu expressed his profound pride in the accomplishments of these outstanding Nigerians, describing them as ambassadors of the country’s intellectual and professional excellence. He commended their commitment to advancing scientific innovation and engineering solutions that are shaping the future.
“This recognition is a testament to the boundless potential of Nigerians to excel globally,” President Tinubu remarked. “Their groundbreaking achievements inspire hope and reinforce our belief in the transformative power of education, innovation, and perseverance.”
The President also emphasized the need to harness their multidisciplinary expertise to drive Nigeria’s development agenda. He urged the honorees to continue contributing to the global scientific community while exploring opportunities to support national growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The inclusion of these trailblazers on such a distinguished platform not only highlights their individual brilliance but also underscores the immense talent pool that Nigeria continues to produce. Their achievements have brought pride to the nation and serve as an inspiration for young Nigerians aspiring to excel in various fields.
