In a significant move highlighting the diverse and dynamic talents within the United States, President Joe Biden has appointed two Nigerian-Americans, Osagie Imasogie and Chinenye Ogwumike, as advisers on African Diaspora Engagement. The duo has been chosen to be part of the 12-member President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement.
The appointment has garnered praise from various quarters, including the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who warmly congratulated Imasogie and Ogwumike on their nomination as advisers to President Biden. In a statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Commission’s spokesperson, Dabiri-Erewa expressed her delight at the recognition of these outstanding Nigerians and Africans in general, viewing their appointment as a source of inspiration for others.
Chinenye Ogwumike: Chinenye Ogwumike, one of the appointees, is a remarkable individual with an impressive track record. She is a two-time WNBA All-Star, renowned for her outstanding basketball skills while playing for the Los Angeles Sparks. However, what sets her apart is her dual career as a full-time, multi-platform ESPN commentator and NBA analyst, making her one of the few professional athletes who simultaneously hold a prominent position in national sports media.
Ogwumike’s achievements don’t stop there. She was the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2014 and a two-time WNBA All-Star in 2014 and 2018. Graduating from Stanford University with a degree in International Relations, she honed her skills under the mentorship of the distinguished Dr. Condoleezza Rice. In 2020, Ogwumike broke new ground by becoming the first Black woman to host a national daily sports-talk radio show. Her contributions to sports media also include executive producing an ESPN Films documentary titled “144,” which provided a unique perspective on the 2020 WNBA season. She was also recognized in the Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2021.
Osagie Imasogie: The other appointee, Osagie Imasogie, brings a wealth of experience in the financial and life sciences sectors. He is the Chairman of Quoin Capital and Quoin Advisors, an Investment Bank and SEC/FINRA registered Broker-Dealer. Additionally, Imasogie co-founded PIPV Capital, a private equity firm with a focus on the life sciences industry, having invested over $1 billion in the sector.
Imasogie’s career has seen him in senior roles within pharmaceutical giants like GlaxoSmithKline, SmithKline Beecham, and DuPont Merck. He has also held positions as a Price Waterhouse Corporate Finance Partner and a practicing attorney with the prestigious U.S. law firm Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis.
His role extends beyond finance; Imasogie serves on the boards of financial institutions like FS-KKR Capital Corp and Haverford Trust, which collectively manage over $28 billion in assets. He is an adviser to Brown Advisory, a firm overseeing more than $140 billion. Imasogie also holds several significant positions in cultural and educational institutions, including the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Executive Committee and Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, and the role of Trustee at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also chairs the Board of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.
Imasogie’s academic credentials include LLM degrees from the London School of Economics and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. He is a member of the New York State Bar and holds admissions to practice in other jurisdictions.
The appointment of Osagie Imasogie and Chinenye Ogwumike as advisers to President Biden underscores the administration’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, while also tapping into the exceptional talents within the African Diaspora. Their extensive expertise in their respective fields is expected to provide valuable insights and guidance for U.S. policy and engagement with African communities at home and abroad.
