No fewer than 34 Nigerians, at home and in diaspora, flew the country’s flag high representing Nigeria on the global stage by making the 2022 Global Top 100 Under 40 list released by the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD).
It is a global civil society initiative in support of the UN International Decade for People of African Descent, founded five years ago.
MIPAD released the list during the Recognition Week 2022 following the opening of the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City in the United States of America.
Commenting, Chief Executive Officer of MIPAD, Kamil Olufowobi, said usually honourees from Nigeria, Brazil and USA dominate the annual global list because of their population. Nigeria is the biggest Black nation in the world with over 180 million people followed by Brazil in the Diaspora with over 100m Afro-descendants and the USA with over 45m Black people.
“Nigerians around the world are making positive contributions and the expertise they are learning abroad must be harnessed toward the development of Nigeria and Africa,” said Olufowobi.
The list shows 13 of the Nigerians are in the country, 17 of the Nigerian honourees are in the diaspora while four were listed as power couples.
Among those in Nigeria is O’tega Ogra, Group Head/General Manager, Brands & Corporate Communications at BUA Group. Angelica Nwandu, founder of the Shade Room (USA) is among the diaspora Nigerians.
Simi & Adekunle Gold were recognized as the 2022 Power Couple (Africa) while Brazilian Carolina Maíra Moraes and her Nigerian husband Ajoyemi. O. Osunleye Power Couple (Diaspora).
These Nigerian honourees were inducted into the MIPAD Class of 2022 Law and Justice and are invited to the Lagos New Year Gathering Sunday, January 29th 2023 and the next global gathering for all MIPAD honourees in the Republic of Rwanda, on Africa Day, May 25, 2023.