President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his congratulations to six exceptional Nigerians who were named by U.S. President Joe Biden as recipients of the 2025 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The prestigious award is considered the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers at the early stages of their careers.
The awardees, announced on January 14, 2025, represent a diverse range of disciplines within science, technology, and engineering, and are employed or funded by 14 U.S. government agencies. Established by former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1996, PECASE honors individuals who have shown outstanding promise in their respective fields, recognizing their contributions to scientific research and innovation.
The Nigerian honorees include:
- Azeez Butali, Gilbert Lilly Endowed Professor of Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry.
- Ijeoma Opara, Associate Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences) at the Yale School of Public Health, Yale University.
- Oluwatomi Akindele, Postdoctoral researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
- Eno Ebong, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Biology at Northeastern University.
- Oluwasanmi Koyejo, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University.
- Abidemi Ajiboye, Executive Vice Chair of the Case School of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), President Tinubu expressed immense pride in the remarkable achievements of these individuals, commending their groundbreaking work and contributions to global knowledge and innovation.
The President highlighted that these recognitions underscore the immense potential of Nigerians to excel not only within the country but on the global stage. He emphasized that their achievements reflect the excellence that Nigerians are known for and are a source of pride for the nation.
President Tinubu also pointed out that the honorees’ success serves as an inspiration to young Nigerians, particularly in the fields of science, technology, and engineering. He encouraged them to continue their pursuit of excellence, adding that their achievements bring honor to Nigeria and contribute to its reputation as a hub of talent and innovation.
Looking ahead, President Tinubu expressed his hope that the multidisciplinary expertise of the honorees would play a crucial role in advancing Nigeria’s development agenda. He noted that the knowledge and skills of these distinguished Nigerians could greatly benefit the nation, particularly under the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to foster growth, innovation, and sustainability across various sectors of the economy.
The President concluded by reiterating his support for initiatives that promote Nigerian excellence on the global stage and reaffirming the government’s commitment to nurturing talents that will contribute to the country’s progress.
