Renowned Nigerian singer and songwriter Bukola Elemide, popularly known as Aṣa, has been named a 2025 Yale World Fellow, joining a distinguished network of global leaders recognised for their contributions to society.
Yale University’s announcement places Aṣa among 16 mid-career professionals selected from thousands of applicants for the prestigious fellowship. The Yale World Fellows programme, established in 2002, is a flagship initiative of the university’s International Leadership Centre. It brings together exceptional individuals from diverse fields—including politics, media, international development, and justice—for a four-month residency at Yale, where they undergo intensive leadership and academic training.
Aṣa, celebrated for her soulful music and impactful storytelling, has significantly influenced both the African and global music scenes.
Emma Sky, director of Yale’s International Leadership Centre, also highlighted the importance of this year’s cohort, stating, “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 consists of 16 Fellows, evenly split between men and women. Other female Fellows alongside Aṣa include Amna Baig, Tamar Chugoshvili, Mariam El Marakeshy, Vivian López Núñez, Trinh Nguyen, Rhea See, and Stav Shaffir.
The Yale World Fellows programmd has welcomed over 400 individuals from 101 countries since its inception, providing participants with the opportunity to deepen their impact in their respective fields while building a global network of changemakers.
