Renowned Nigerian singer-songwriter Bukola Elemide, popularly known as Aṣa, has been selected as a 2025 Yale World Fellow. This prestigious honor places her among a distinguished group of global changemakers who will undergo a four-month leadership program at Yale University.

The Yale World Fellows Programme, run by the university’s International Leadership Centre, is a flagship initiative to nurture leadership skills and expand global perspectives. Each year, only 16 exceptional individuals are chosen from thousands of applicants worldwide to participate in the academic enrichment and leadership training program. Since its inception in 2002, the program has welcomed over 400 Fellows from 101 countries.

Director of Yale’s International Leadership Centre, Emma Sky, expressed her admiration for the 2025 Fellows, saying:

“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.”

The 2025 cohort represents leaders from diverse fields, including politics, media, international development, and justice. Alongside Aṣa, this year’s Yale World Fellows include:

• 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 Organizer
• 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

Aṣa’s selection as a Yale World Fellow is a testament to her influence beyond music. Known for her soulful voice, thought-provoking lyrics, and cultural impact, Aṣa embodies the spirit of leadership and social change the program seeks to cultivate. Her involvement in the Yale World Fellows Programme reinforces her status as a global ambassador for Nigerian excellence and an artistic and cultural empowerment champion.

Congratulations to Aṣa and the 2025 Yale World Fellows on this incredible achievement!