The Embassy of the United States, Abuja has commended Nigerian-born aerospace engineer Wendy Okolo for her pioneering contributions to aviation research at the NASA Ames Research Center.
In a post shared on its official X platform, the embassy described Okolo as a trailblazing Nigerian-American scientist whose work is advancing flight safety and control systems within the U.S. space agency.
Okolo earned her doctorate at just 26 years old, becoming the first Black woman to obtain a PhD in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.
She subsequently joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a research engineer.
At NASA’s Ames facility in Silicon Valley, she leads research efforts focused on flight safety, aircraft monitoring systems and control optimisation for advanced aerospace technologies.
Her work has positioned her as a respected voice in the global aerospace community.
The embassy noted that spotlighting Okolo’s achievements aligns with ongoing efforts to recognise the accomplishments of Nigerians and other immigrants who are making significant impacts in science, technology and other professional sectors in the United States.
Nigerians are widely acknowledged as one of the most highly educated immigrant groups in America, with many excelling in fields ranging from engineering and medicine to business and academia.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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