Four Afara Initiative Alumni Selected for Inaugural Class of Morehead-Cain Global Fellows

The Afara Initiative is proud to announce that four alumni have been named Morehead-Cain Global Fellows to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The students, along with eight other recipients representing four countries, began the one-year program in August.

The Morehead-Cain Global Fellows program is a highly selective, fully funded fellowship for exceptional student leaders from around the world to study at UNC-Chapel Hill. The candidates were nominated by the Afara Initiative for their track record of scholarship, leadership, and character.

The selection process included an extensive application review, and Nigerian finalists were invited for final interviews in Lagos this past March.

Partnering with Morehead-Cain to nominate students has expanded opportunity for exceptional Nigerian leaders who will shape the continent's future for the better, Afara Initiative Founder Lara Rabiu said.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to bridging local talent with global opportunities and ensuring that Nigeria’s brightest minds gain access to the resources, networks, and leadership skills necessary to compete and thrive internationally,” Rabiu said.

Morehead-Cain President Chris Bradford said the global fellows are “poised to lead with purpose, integrity, and impact on a global scale.”

“Our world needs visionary and ethical leaders who are connected across nations and cultures if we are to address the complex global challenges of this century,” Bradford said. “These remarkable individuals were selected not only for their intellectual accomplishments but for their deep commitment to creating lasting positive change, and we are honored to welcome them to Morehead-Cain and Carolina.”

The Morehead-Cain Global Fellows program was launched in 2024. The initiative aims to bring together extraordinary leaders from across the globe to study at Carolina, providing them with a transformational year to push boundaries, hone leadership skills, and join a legacy of changemakers.

The Nigerian students include Fadilullahi Ayodeji Adeniyi (University of Lagos), Rotdalmwa Joan Dimka (University of Jos), Ezinne Thelma Mpieri (University of Ibadan), and Eniola Hawawu Salawu (University of Lagos). After their year at Carolina and in the Morehead-Cain Program, the global fellows will return to their home university to complete their studies and positively influence their home campus

Meet Nigeria's Morehead-Cain Global Fellows:

Fadilullahi Ayodeji Adeniyi

Fadilullahi Ayodeji Adeniyi is a driven and multi-award-winning chemical engineering student at the University of Lagos, passionate about clean energy, data science, and sustainable development. A committed scholar, he earned the best WASSCE result in Lagos State Education District IV in 2020 and continues to pursue excellence in all areas of his academic and leadership journey. Adeniyi led his team to win the 2024 NSChE hackathon with a pipeline leak detection app and secured first place in the NSE-ULES engineering quiz. As a Bridge Fellow in 2024 and dedicated chemistry tutor for public school students, he is invested in education equity and community advancement. He aspires to become both an engineer and educator, working to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy.

Rotdalmwa Joan Dimka

Rotdalmwa Joan Dimka is a biochemistry student at the University of Jos with a passion for proteomics, storytelling, and educational reform. As a course representative and PR executive for the Biochemistry Study Community, she helped lead a waste management project to the finals of a state hackathon. A former intern at CYPA Africa, she also founded the Student Republic, a student-run editorial supporting first-year university students while promoting intellectual discourse and social consciousness. Dimka hopes to pursue research on UTIs, build a career in spoken word, and enter public office to drive systemic change in Nigeria.

Ezinne Thelma Mpieri

Ezinne Thelma Mpieri is a medical student at the University of Ibadan, dedicated to women’s health, academic mentorship, and community empowerment. She serves as Academic Secretary for the Catholic Medical Students’ Association and volunteers in medical outreaches and digital safety campaigns through the Millennium Fellowship. A winner of the Interhall Quiz Competition and recipient of a Student Leader Award, Mpieri combines academic excellence with a passion for service. She aspires to become a gynecologist and researcher working to expand access to reproductive health care.

Eniola Hawawu Salawu

Eniola Hawawu Salawu is an accounting student at the University of Lagos and co-head of the Securities and Trading Division as well as co-campus director for the Millennium Fellowship. She founded Ecocarbon to promote corporate sustainability and launched the One Sound Initiative to advance inclusion through sign language education. Salawu aims to lead a venture capital firm that invests in bold, sustainable solutions to foster a more inclusive global economy. 

Equipping Africa's top talent to lead and innovate, the Afara Initiative empowers university students with the skills, networks, and opportunities to drive impact.