The Abuja Chapter of the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association of Nigeria (USGEAAN) has convened a major alumni Meet & Greet, bringing together about 300 U.S. Government-sponsored exchange alumni resident in the Federal Capital Territory.
The semi-formal, cocktail-style event served as a platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and renewed engagement among alumni from diverse professional backgrounds.
It also provided an opportunity to showcase the enduring impact of U.S. Government-sponsored exchange programmes, whose alumni continue to advance and project core American values of constitutionalism, democracy, civic responsibility, and public service across Nigeria’s public, private, and civic sectors.
Speaking at the event, a representative of the U.S. Embassy, Raisa Dukas, highlighted the role of exchange alumni in strengthening democratic institutions and deepening people-to-people ties between Nigeria and the United States. She announced the launch of Freedom 250, a year-long initiative that calls on partners and allies to showcase the enduring U.S. values of courage, generosity, and innovation, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Also speaking, the President of the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association of Nigeria (USGEAAN), Dr. Nosayaba Tukura, emphasized the importance of coordinated alumni action in translating exchange experiences into measurable national impact. Represented at the event by the General Secretary of the Association, Mr. Olalekan Adeeko, she underscored the strategic direction of the national body in harnessing the strength of the alumni network.
“Our strength as an association lies not in the size of our network, but in how we harness its collective expertise for national development. Across Nigeria, USGEAAN alumni are applying the skills gained through U.S. exchange programmes to strengthen institutions, expand civic participation, and drive community-level impact. We aim to align this energy, provide clear direction, and ensure chapters function as effective platforms for leadership and service,” she said.
The high point of the event featured House of Representatives Spokesman, Mr Akin Rotimi, USGEAAN Abuja Chapter Coordinator and alumnus of the flagship International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP), who presented the Chapter’s 2026 Work Plan, highlighting strategic priorities including administrative strengthening, enhanced collaboration and networking, scaling community impact within Abuja, and supporting the implementation of national-level initiatives of the Association.
He further emphasized the Chapter’s unique role as a hub for alumni engagement in the nation’s capital.
“Being in Abuja, at the heart of Nigeria’s political and civic life, gives our Chapter a unique responsibility and opportunity. Our goal is to build a connected, dynamic community of alumni who turn their experience into meaningful action, mentoring, leading, and innovating across society. We call on all alumni to join us in cultivating this network of change-makers, advancing democratic governance, civic responsibility, and public service throughout the country,” Mr. Rotimi said.
The event included structured networking and engagement sessions designed to strengthen collaboration, mentorship, and strategic partnerships among alumni.
Leadership Development and Community Service
USGEAAN is a non-partisan network of Nigerian alumni of U.S. Government-funded exchange programmes, committed to leadership development, community service, and the promotion of shared values between Nigeria and the United States.
The USGEAAN comprises the following US exchange programmes which were well represented;
1. Access Program
2. Academy for Women Entrepreneurs
3. American Music Abroad
4. American Film Showcase (AFS)
5. BridgeUSA
6. Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI)
7. Community Engagement Exchanges (CEE)
8. Community College Initiative (CCI)
9. Eisenhower Fellowship Program
10. Fortune 500 Women Leaders
11. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (FFSP)
12. Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program (FVSP)
13. Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA)
14. Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (FTEA)
15. Fulbright Trans-saharan undergraduate program
16. Global Sports Mentoring Program (GSMP)
17. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program (HHHF)
18. International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP)
19. International Writing Program (IWP)
20. Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (KL-YES)
21. Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF)
22. Sports Visitors Program
23. Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI)
24. TechGirls
25. TechWomen
26. UNVIE Youth Space Program
27. Youth Leadership Program / Pan African Youth Leadership Program (YLP / PAYLP)
28. Youth Excellence on Stage (YES)
29. YALI Regional Leadership Center (RLC)
The gathering was attended by representatives of the United States Embassy led by the Public Diplomacy Officer Raisa Dukas, leaders of the USGEAAN national executive committee, and other distinguished guests from within the network, including Mr. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi (Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State), 2016 IVLP Alumnus; and Mr. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi (Oshodi/Isolo II Federal Constituency, Lagos State) — Chairman, Nigeria–United States Parliamentary Friendship Group.