Aṣa, whose real name is Bukola Elemide, has been elected a Yale World Fellow for 2025. This esteemed program, which brings together leaders from many fields for a rigorous four-month experience at Yale University, has chosen the Nigerian singer-songwriter to join a global network of changemakers.
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One of the university’s hallmark programs to foster leadership and broaden global perspectives is the Yale World Fellows program, which is administered by the International Leadership Center. Out of thousands of candidates, 16 people are selected year for leadership development and intellectual enrichment. More than 400 Fellows from 101 countries have been accepted into the program since its inception in 2002.
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“World Fellows are operating with remarkable savvy and often immense courage on the frontlines of the fight for a better world,”. “In this era of global upheaval and uncertainty – which drives many to cynicism and apathy – the 2025 World Fellows are daring to envision and build an optimistic future. We very much look forward to welcoming them to Yale.”
Emma Sky, director of Yale’s International Leadership Centre.
This year’s Fellows include professionals from politics, media, international development, and justice. Alongside Aṣa, the 2025 Yale World Fellows are:
- Akim Daouda – Founder and CEO, Mwaana, Inc.
- Amna Baig – Superintendent of Police, Police Service of Pakistan
- Tamar Chugoshvili – Democracy Advocate and Executive Director, Egeria Solutions
- Mariam El Marakeshy – Storyteller, Filmmaker, Educator, and Cultural Specialist
- Sonam Kinga – Visiting Research Scholar, Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University
- Vivian López Núñez – Judge, Judiciary of Paraguay
- Trinh Nguyen – Country Director, TRAFFIC International Vietnam
- Garo Paylan – Visiting Scholar, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Carlos Quintero Herrera Lasso – Lawyer, Policy Expert, and Community Organiser
- Mohammed Rezwan – Executive Director, Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha
- Rhea See – Co-Founder and CEO, She Loves Tech
- Stav Shaffir – President, Ministry of the Future
- Mathias Wikström – CEO & Co-Founder, Doconomy
- Wei Xing – Founder, China Fact Check
- Mikhail Zygar – Author, Commentator, and Media Entrepreneur
