President Obama Gives U.S Highest Research Award to Nigerian Professor

Professor Akinwande

A Nigerian professor in the Unites States of America, Deji Akinwande, who was earlier this year, named by President Barack Obama, as one of the recipients of ‘the highest honour bestowed by the US government for science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers’, has finally received America’s highest research award.

Speaking to TheCable on Monday, Akinwande who grew up in Opebi Allen in the Ikeja area of Lagos state, and left Nigeria as a teenager in 1994, said he was awarded by Obama on May 5, 2016, at the White House, where the 105 researchers were hosted.

President Obama and the Researchers (Akinwande marked in Green)

The U.S White house revealed that Akinwande was awarded for his ‘outstanding research accomplishments in nanomaterials, graphene device physics, and opto-electronics, and for dedication to the education of future scientists and engineers.’

While annoucing the winners earlier in the year, President Obama said: “These early-career scientists are leading the way in our efforts to confront and understand challenges from climate change to our health and wellness.

“We congratulate these accomplished individuals and encourage them to continue to serve as an example of the incredible promise and ingenuity of the American people.”