Bukola Elemide, widely known as Aṣa, has been named a 2025 Yale World Fellow. The Nigerian singer-songwriter is among a global group of changemakers selected for this prestigious program, which gathers leaders from various sectors for an intensive four-month experience at Yale University.
The Yale World Fellows program, organized by the university’s International Leadership Centre, is a flagship initiative designed to develop leadership skills and broaden global perspectives. Every year, 16 individuals are selected from thousands of applicants to undergo academic enrichment and leadership training. Since its inception in 2002, the program has welcomed over 400 Fellows from 101 countries.
“World Fellows are operating with remarkable savvy and often immense courage on the frontlines of the fight for a better world,” said Emma Sky, director of Yale’s International Leadership Centre. “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.”
The 2025 cohort includes professionals from diverse fields such as politics, media, international development, and justice. Alongside Aṣa, this year’s 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
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