The number of Nigerian-Americans who won elected office in Tuesday’s United States midterm elections has climbed to 14, according to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). That is well above the first tally of four winners reported on Wednesday as early results came in.
The new list was released by NiDCOM in Abuja and reported by Premium Times and Ghana’s Yen.com.gh on Thursday. It shows winners in nine states and the District of Columbia. Most of them won seats in state legislatures, while others took county and city-level posts.
Georgia leads with four winners
Georgia produced the largest group. According to the published list, four Nigerian-Americans won seats in the Georgia House of Representatives: Segun Adeyina (District 110), Gabe Okoye (District 102), Solomon Adesanya (District 43) and Phil Olaleye (District 59).
Texas has two winners. Junior Ezeonu won Texas House District 101 and Odus Evbagharha won District 135. Some outlets spell his surname slightly differently.
The full list of winners
Besides Georgia and Texas, the commission listed these winners:
- Will Jawando: Montgomery County Executive, Maryland
- Esther Agbaje: Minnesota House, District 59B (re-elected)
- Ukeme Awakessien-Jeter: Ohio House, District 7
- Olaleye Onikuyide: Connecticut House, District 19
- Justin Onwenu: Michigan State Senate, District 1
- Janelle Anyanonu: New Mexico House, District 19
- Carol Kazeem: Pennsylvania House, District 159 (retained)
- Dr Oye Owolewa: at-large seat on the Council of the District of Columbia
Yen.com.gh reported that Awakessien-Jeter “flipped” her Ohio seat, meaning she took it from the other party. Jawando, Ezeonu, Owolewa and Kazeem were the first four winners Flashinfong reported on Wednesday. The longer list confirms that many more candidates with Nigerian roots won further down the ballot.
Dabiri-Erewa congratulates winners
NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa congratulated the winners in a post on X. Premium Times quoted her as saying: “Hearty congratulations to Nigerian Americans who won elections in the US.”
In a statement signed by its head of media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the commission said she described the results as a sign of the diaspora’s growing role in public leadership. She also praised the candidates for their commitment to public service.
NiDCOM said one more result was still pending. KC Ohaebosim, who has served about ten years as a Kansas State Representative, was awaiting the outcome of his race for Lieutenant Governor of Kansas. He is not among the 14.
A growing political footprint
Nigerian-Americans are often described as one of the most highly educated immigrant groups in the United States. Over the past decade they have grown more visible in American politics, from school boards and city councils to state legislatures and judgeships.
This year’s elections added to that record. In Texas, Dallas lawyer Okey Anyiam won a seat on the state’s Court of Criminal Appeals, according to unofficial results. Separately, Nigerian-born Oxford professor Dapo Akande was elected a judge of the International Court of Justice this week.
The wins came in a midterm election in which Democrats took control of Congress, a major setback for President Donald Trump. Several historic results were also recorded at governor level across the country.
What happens next
Most of the newly elected state lawmakers will be sworn in when their legislatures meet in January 2027. Results in some races are still unofficial until states certify them in the coming weeks, and the total could change if pending contests such as the Kansas race are confirmed.
For Nigeria, the results are another reminder of the influence of its diaspora, which NiDCOM regularly highlights. The new office-holders will be watched closely at home for how they engage on issues that matter to Nigerians in the US, from visas and immigration to trade and education links.
Sources: Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Premium Times, Yen.com.gh.
