Nigerian excellence continues to make an impact beyond the shores of Nigeria.
The November 3, 2026, United States midterm elections recorded victories for Nigerians and Americans of Nigerian descent, with 14 individuals reportedly securing elective positions across different states.
From state legislatures to local government leadership, these individuals are making their mark in American politics while representing a community with strong Nigerian roots.
Here are some of the Nigerian-Americans who emerged victorious.
1. WILL JAWANDO – MARYLAND
Position: Montgomery County Executive.
Will Jawando won the election to become Montgomery County Executive in Maryland.
Born in Silver Spring, Maryland, he is the son of Olayinka Jawando, a Nigerian immigrant, and an American mother, Kathy Jacob.
Before his election, he served on the Montgomery County Council.
2. GABE OKOYE – GEORGIA
Position: Georgia House of Representatives, District 102.
Gabe Okoye is a Nigerian-born politician who immigrated to the United States in 1981.
A professional civil engineer and small business owner, he has also served as Chairman of the Nigerian American Public Advisory Committee and held community leadership positions in Georgia.
He retained his seat representing District 102.
3. CAROL KAZEEM – PENNSYLVANIA
Position: Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 159.
Carol Kazeem retained her seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Born in Pennsylvania, she is of Nigerian descent and was first elected to the state legislature in 2022.
She continues to represent District 159.
4. OYE OWOLEWA – WASHINGTON, D.C
Position: At-Large Member, District of Columbia Council.
Oye Owolewa is an American politician born to Nigerian immigrant parents with roots in Kwara and Osun states.
A pharmacist by profession, he previously served as Washington, D.C.’s shadow representative to the United States Congress.
He has now secured an at-large seat on the D.C. Council.
5. JUNIOR EZEONU – TEXAS
Position: Texas House of Representatives, District 101.
Junior Ezeonu, 27, was born in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria, before relocating to Texas with his family at the age of two.
He previously served on the Grand Prairie City Council, where he became the city’s youngest Mayor Pro Tem.
He has now secured a seat in the Texas House of Representatives.
6. SEGUN ADEYINA – GEORGIA
Position: Georgia House of Representatives, District 110.
Segun Adeyina is a Nigerian-born politician who was educated in Nigeria before relocating to the United States.
He studied electrical engineering at the University of Akron and has worked in information technology and project management for more than 25 years.
He was first elected to the Georgia House in 2022 and retained his seat in the 2026 elections.
7. PHIL OLALEYE – GEORGIA
Position: Georgia House of Representatives, District 59.
Phil Olaleye was born and raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia, to Nigerian and Colombian immigrant parents.
He is a graduate of Duke University and holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School.
He previously served as Executive Director of Next Generation Men & Women, an organisation focused on mentoring young people.
He secured another term representing District 59 in the Georgia House of Representatives.
8. ESTHER AGBAJE – MINNESOTA
Position: Minnesota House of Representatives, District 59B.
Esther Agbaje was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Nigerian immigrant parents.
She is a lawyer who earned her law degree from Harvard University and previously worked with the United States Department of State.
She made history in 2020 as the first Nigerian-American elected to the Minnesota legislature and has now been re-elected.
9. JUSTIN ONWENU – MICHIGAN
Justin Onwenu is a fourth-generation Detroiter of Nigerian descent.
His father immigrated to Detroit from Nigeria and worked as a teacher in Detroit Public Schools and as a small business owner.
Justin is an attorney, community organiser and graduate of Rice University and Columbia Law School.
Before entering the election, he served in Detroit’s city administration, working to support small businesses and economic development.
He won the Michigan State Senate District 1 election, securing 83% of the reported vote.
10. UKEME AWAKESSIEN-JETER – OHIO
Ukeme Awakessien-Jeter is a Nigerian-born American politician, engineer and lawyer.
She grew up in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and Muscat, Oman, before moving to the United States at the age of 18 to study at the University of Maine.
In 2021, she made history by becoming the first person of colour elected to the Upper Arlington City Council in Ohio. She later became the city’s first Black mayor and council president.
She has now won a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives, representing District 7.
11. OLALEYE ONIKUYIDE – CONNECTICUT
Olaleye Onikuyide is an American attorney and politician born in Hartford, Connecticut, to Nigerian immigrant parents.
He grew up in Bloomfield and West Hartford, Connecticut.
He attended the University of Hartford, where he earned his undergraduate degree, before obtaining his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.
At 28, he won the election to represent District 19 in the Connecticut House of Representatives.
12. JANELLE ANYANONU – NEW MEXICO
Janelle Anyanonu is an American politician and the daughter of a Nigerian immigrant.
She was raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she attended Manzano High School before earning a degree in Applied Sciences from Wayland Baptist University.
She entered public service through grassroots community involvement and was first elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 2022.
She retained her seat in the 2026 elections, continuing to represent District 19.
13. ODUS EVBAGHARU – TEXAS
Odus Evbagharu is an American politician and small business owner of Nigerian heritage.
He is the son of Nigerian parents who immigrated to London shortly before his birth. His family later moved to the United States, and he grew up in the Cy-Fair community in Texas.
He attended Cy-Fair public schools and graduated from the University of Houston.
Before entering the Texas legislature, he made history in 2021 as the youngest and first Black chairman of the Harris County Democratic Party.
He won the Texas House of Representatives District 135 election, defeating Republican challenger Liz Ramos.
14. SOLOMON ADESANYA – GEORGIA
Solomon Adesanya is a Nigerian-born American politician and businessman.
He was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and is the son of Olu Adesanya, who immigrated to the United States in 1971 as a student.
Solomon later settled in Georgia, where he became a restaurant owner and community advocate.
He was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2022 and secured another term representing District 43 in the 2026 elections.
NIGERIAN EXCELLENCE KNOWS NO BORDERS
From individuals born in Nigeria to those raised in America by Nigerian immigrant parents, these achievements reflect the contributions of Nigerians and their descendants to public service and leadership around the world.
Their stories remind us that Nigerian excellence extends beyond geographical boundaries.
Congratulations to all the winners!
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