AAMU Hosts Mandela Washington Fellows

Alabama A&M University’s historic role as a host institution for the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship is giving rise to new global connections – and empowering Africa’s brightest young leaders to expand their impact. Among the 25 dynamic professionals welcomed to campus this summer is Abdullahi Jafar, a chemical engineer, entrepreneur, and managing director of two Nigeria-based companies.

Jafar founded and leads Prism Chemicals and Stones Engineering Limited and is the managing director of Madobi Specialty Chemicals Limited, where he has spent more than a decade driving innovation in chemical manufacturing and sustainable mining practices. From developing water treatment solutions to pioneering the local processing of rare earth minerals, his mission is both industrial and deeply human.

“One of our key projects involves establishing a 50-ton-per-day ferric alum plant to support clean water supply across Northern Nigeria,” said Jafar. “We’re also breaking new ground in the mining and processing of rare earths like monazite, which are critical for future technologies.”

Jafar is one of the inaugural participants in Alabama A&M’s Leadership in Business Institute, a six-week academic and cultural exchange initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. The program, which began June 18, marks the University’s first time hosting the Mandela Washington Fellowship – placing AAMU among a select group of American institutions chosen to help shape Africa’s next generation of leaders.

“This is my first time in the U.S., and Alabama, and the experience has been fantastic,” said Jafar. “AAMU’s strong sense of community, the caliber of the faculty, and the diversity of perspectives I’ve encountered have all contributed to a journey that is as transformative as it is inspiring.”

With a background in chemical engineering, Jafar has spent his career advancing Nigeria’s industrial self-reliance through import substitution and local value creation. His ventures operate at the intersection of sustainability and innovation, tackling complex challenges in water treatment, adhesives, and mineral development.

“I applied to the Mandela Washington Fellowship to strengthen my leadership capacity and learn how to scale impact through global partnerships,” he explained. “Being selected felt like a vote of confidence – not just in me, but in the potential of young African entrepreneurs to shape the future.”

At Alabama A&M, Jafar and his fellow Mandela Fellows are immersed in intensive sessions on entrepreneurship, business ethics, branding, and global strategy. The program also offers opportunities to engage with Alabama’s business leaders and visit key sites in Montgomery, Birmingham, and Atlanta.

For Jafar, the visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and Civil Rights Memorial was particularly moving. “It reminded me how leadership is often born from struggle and how visionaries can change the world,” he said.

In his downtime, he’s found time for journaling, connecting with peers, and exploring Huntsville’s scenic trails. He’s grown fond of Southern hospitality, is adjusting to the accents, and jokes about the “very generous” food portions – though nothing quite compares to home in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Jafar is also deeply impressed by the culture of excellence and support at Alabama A&M.

“What stands out most is the University’s commitment to innovation and its welcoming spirit,” said Jafar. “There’s a real sense of pride here – and it’s contagious.”

The Fellows will conclude their program on campus with an Ignite Talk session, where they will present their vision, growth, and goals moving forward. Jafar says it’s the relationships formed and lessons learned on The Hill that he knows will stay with him long after he returns home.

“It’s a privilege to represent the Mandela Washington Fellowship and the spirit of collaboration it embodies,” he said. “The connections we’re building here have the power to transform industries, communities, and lives – not just in Africa, but around the world.”

And while he’s made the most of every moment in Alabama, Jafar admits there are still a few things he longs for.

“I miss my family, the local spices, and the vibrant rhythm of Nigeria, but my wife’s cooking tops the list.”