Suleiman Abdulahi Joins Mandela Fellowship, Champions Youth Leadership, Public Sector Transformation Globally

Suleiman Oshioke Abdulahi, one of Nigeria’s most impactful public sector strategists and a leading advocate for youth empowerment, has joined the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship, marking a significant milestone in his journey of global leadership and public service.

Abdulahi, who arrived in the United States last week, is among a distinguished cohort of African changemakers participating in the U.S. Government’s flagship Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Over the next six weeks, he will engage in intensive academic training, leadership development, and professional networking with top U.S. institutions, policymakers, and industry experts.

His selection into the highly competitive Mandela Washington Fellowship is a recognition of his deep-rooted commitment to social impact, youth development, and institutional reform in Nigeria. From policy innovation to digital learning and capacity development, Suleiman has contributed to shaping large-scale programs aimed at addressing unemployment and equipping young Nigerians with relevant skills.

His most notable contribution remains his technical leadership in Nigeria’s N-Power programme, the country’s largest youth employment initiative. Working with partners such as Microsoft Nigeria, GIZ, and national Sector Skills Councils, he was instrumental in delivering digital learning solutions, enhancing technical education, and building resilient systems that reached tens of thousands of beneficiaries.

“Despite my personal and professional accomplishments, I’m especially excited about this phase not just for its impact on me, but for the greater good of those who will be inspired, motivated, and empowered through this journey,” he said.

Abdulahi’s role in advancing science and technology education has been equally profound. Under N-Power, he led the Junior STEM Project, directly enhancing STEM learning for over 32,000 students and supporting 654 educators across 218 technical colleges. His efforts have also extended to designing cloud-based knowledge management tools, monitoring frameworks, and sustainability strategies for large-scale youth programmes.

Now selected for the Public Management track of the Fellowship, Suleiman will focus on exploring innovative approaches to governance and public service delivery — aligning with his broader vision to co-create inclusive policies and build institutions that respond to the evolving needs of African youth.

“Join me consciously on this journey. This isn’t just a personal milestone, it’s a chance to represent the energy, resilience, and potential of young Africans who are ready to lead, innovate, and drive systemic change,” he stated.

Since its inception in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has trained over 6,000 young African leaders, many of whom have gone on to become key influencers in policy, entrepreneurship, civil society, and development. For Suleiman, the fellowship is not just a platform for growth, but a call to collective action.

As he begins this transformative journey, he has called on African leaders, institutions, and global development partners to work collaboratively in building a future where African youth are not only seen — but also heard, respected, and empowered to lead.

His story continues to inspire a generation eager to rise above limitations and redefine leadership in Africa — one that is inclusive, strategic, and boldly futuristic.