Wofai Samuel
{{Short description|Nigerian media personality (born 1990)}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Wofai Samuel
| image = Portrait of Wofai Samuel.jpg
| caption = Wofai Samuel in October 2022
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1990|09|18}}
| birth_place = Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| alma mater = University of Lagos, University of Calabar
| notable_works =
| website = {{URL|wofaisamuel.com}}
| occupation = Public Relations
}}
Wofai Samuel ({{IPAc-en|audio=Ig-Wofai samuel.ogg|w|ə|ʊ|f|aɪ|ə|}} 18 September 1990){{Cite interview|interviewer=Adebayo Ifeoluwa |first=Wofai|last=Samuel|date=2025-02-25 |title=Meet Wofai Samuel, the Communications Powerhouse leading NACC |url=https://businessday.ng/interview/article/meet-wofai-samuel-the-communications-powerhouse-leading-nacc/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}} is a Nigerian communications executive and acting director-general of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce.{{Cite web |last=Ikenwa |first=Chizoba |date=2017-11-06 |title=Media personality Wofai Samuel emerges youngest representative for the energy Nigeria assembly |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/media-personality-wofai-samuel-emerges-youngest-representative-for-the-energy-nigeria-assembly/ |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=The Sun Nigeria |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=Meshioye |first=David |date=2024-05-15 |title=Inbound trade mission already bearing fruits, says NACC DG |url=https://guardian.ng/business-services/industry/inbound-trade-mission-already-bearing-fruits-says-nacc-dg/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}
Early life and education
Samuel was born in Calabar, Cross River State, where she attended the Federal Government Girls College and the University of Calabar in 2012 where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology and environmental biology.{{Cite web|title=Alumni|url=https://www.unical.edu.ng/alumni/members/alumnidirectory|access-date=2021-12-25|website=University of Calabar}} She also earned an Advanced Diploma in Human Resources and Organisational Management from the University of Lagos.{{Cite web |last=Nation |first=The |date=2022-01-27 |title=Commonwealth University of London nominates Wofai Samuel for honorary doctorate degree |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/commonwealth-university-of-london-nominates-wofai-samuel-for-honorary-doctorate-degree/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=The Nation Newspaper |language=en-US}}
Career
In 2019, Samuel served as Head of Oil & Gas Communications for the Foreign Investment Network. In 2021, she was the Editor of Africa Energy & Infrastructure Magazine.{{Cite web |last=Oladeinde |first=Yetunde |date=2023-07-02 |title=WOFAI SAMUEL: Kamala Harris, Remi Tinubu inspire me |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/wofai-samuel-kamala-harris-remi-tinubu-inspire-me/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=The Nation Newspaper |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=@adminfin |date=2020-11-24 |title=Global Investment outlook for Upstream Oil & Gas Post Covid-19, Perspectives from the Top. |url=https://foreigninvestmentnetwork.com/global-investment-outlook-for-upstream-oil-gas-post-covid-19-perspectives-from-the-top/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Foreign Investment Network |language=en-US}}
In 2021, Samuel was director of communication and external affairs to the UK-Liberia Chamber of Commerce.{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Joel Cholo |date=2021-03-02 |title=UK-Liberia Chamber of Commerce Appoints Wofai Samuel as Director of Communication & External Affairs |url=https://gnnliberia.com/uk-liberia-chamber-of-commerce-appoints-wofai-samuel-as-director-of-communication-external-affairs/ |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=Global News Network |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Nation |first=The |date=2021-03-01 |title=UK-Liberia Chamber of Commerce appoints Nigerian as Communication, External Affairs Director |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/uk-liberia-chamber-of-commerce-appoints-nigerian-as-communication-external-affairs-director/amp/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=The Nation Newspaper |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Communications Director of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Wofai Samuel visits the United States, Tours the White House, U.S. Capitol. – THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/05/16/communications-director-of-the-nigerian-american-chamber-of-commerce-wofai-samuel-visits-the-united-states-tours-the-white-house-u-s-capitol/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=www.thisdaylive.com |language=en-US}}
In August 2022, she joined the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce as director of communication, government relations and advocacy,{{Cite press release|last=Faminu |first=Gbemi |date=2022-07-26 |title=NACC appoints Wofai Samuel as director of communications, government relations & advocacy |url=https://businessday.ng/news/article/nacc-appoints-wofai-samuel-as-director-of-communications-government-relations-advocacy/ |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=BusinessDay}} and later became acting director-general.{{Cite interview|first=Wofai|last=Samuel|interviewer=Kolawole Olaniyi|date=2022-09-12 |title=Power sector crisis threatening business, economic growth – NACC boss |url=https://punchng.com/power-sector-crisis-threatening-business-economic-growth-nacc-boss/ |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=The Punch}}
In May 2023, she was part of a delegation from the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce who took part in meetings in the United States to diversify Nigerian-American trade goals. She toured the White House and the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., the Maryland State House and the State of Virginia.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-18 |title=Mission to US will boost Nigerian-American trade — Wofai Samuel |url=https://punchng.com/mission-to-us-will-boost-nigerian-american-trade-wofai-samuel/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=The Punch}}
In March 2024, Samuel implemented an inbound trade mission{{Cite web |last=Balogun |first=Folake |date=2024-03-19 |title=NACC seeks to boost trade ties between Nigeria, Illinois businesses |url=https://businessday.ng/companies/article/nacc-seeks-to-boost-trade-ties-between-nigeria-illinois-businesses/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}} to Nigeria for the Government of Illinois,{{Cite web|date=2024-05-12 |title=Government of Illinois inbound trade mission to Nigeria, biggest win as NACC's acting Director-General, says Wofai Samuel |url=https://guardian.ng/business-services/government-of-illinois-inbound-trade-mission-to-nigeria-biggest-win-as-naccs-acting-director-general-says-wofai-samuel/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=The Guardian}} Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and was subsequently interviewed on Voice of America (Africa){{Cite interview|first=Wofai|last=Samuel|interviewer=Chinedu Offor|date=2024-10-21 |title=Nigeria-US Chamber aid women, youth amid worsening economic crisis |url=https://www.voaafrica.com/a/nigeria-us-chamber-aid-women-youth-amid-worsening-economic-crisis/7829822.html |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Voice of America}}{{Cite interview|first=Wofai|last=Samuel|date=2024-10-17 |title=Nigeria-American Chamber boss urges renewal of AGOA |url=https://www.voaafrica.com/a/nigeria-american-chamber-boss-urges-renewal-of-agoa/7825416.html |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Voice of America}} and Center for International Private Enterprise in Washington DC.{{Cite web |title=Events |url=https://www.cipe.org/projects/boosting-association-revenue-in-africa/events/#NACC |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Center for International Private Enterprise |language=en-US}}
Samuel is a member the World Agriculture Forum Council,{{Cite web|title=Cultivating Solutions for a Sustainable Future |url=https://worldagricultureforum.org/waf-council-members#page-3 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=World Agriculture Forum}} member of the Advisory Boards of Cetacea Online University,{{Cite web |title=Advisory Board|website=Cetacea University |url=https://cetaceauniversity.us/advisory-board/ |access-date=2025-01-24}} an unaccredited university in Delaware, and the American Council on Management and Information Technology.{{Cite web |title=Advisory Board|url=https://www.acmit.us/advisory-board/ |access-date=2025-01-24|website=ACMIT}}
= Public speaking =
Samuel has chaired several summits and conferences. In 2017, she was invited to chair the Belarus-Africa Summit in Minsk.{{Cite web |last=Okogba |first=Emmanuel |date=2017-06-15 |title=Wofai Samuel goes international, chairs Ministerial panel for the Belarus-Africa forum |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/06/wofai-samuel-goes-international/amp/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}} In 2018, she was invited to chair the sub-Saharan Africa oil, energy and infrastructure summit in Nairobi,{{Cite web |last=Nation |first=The |date=2018-10-20 |title=Wofai Samuel chairs Oil, Gas & Energy infrastructure summit in Kenya |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/wofai-samuel-chairs-oil-gas-energy-infrastructure-summit-in-kenya/amp/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=The Nation Newspaper |language=en-US}} African-Export Import Bank's launch of Project Preparation facility in Johannesburg in 2018{{Cite web |last=Okogba |first=Emmanuel |date=2018-11-24 |title=Wofai chairs Afrexim Bank's Launch of PPF in Jo'burg, South Africa |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/wofai-chairs-afrexim-banks-launch-of-ppf-in-joburg-south-africa/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}} and the West Africa Trade and Investment Conference.{{Cite web |last=Nigeria |first=Guardian |date=2019-07-25 |title=Experts seek infrastructural development to foster trade, investment in West Africa |url=https://guardian.ng/news/experts-seek-infrastructural-development-to-foster-trade-investment-in-west-africa/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}
She has been featured on subjects of national{{Cite web |title=Agenda for the Nigeria eGovernment Summit 2024|website=The Nigeria eGovernment Summit|url=https://egovernment.ng/agenda/ |access-date=2025-01-24}}{{Cite web |last=Okogba |first=Emmanuel |date=2018-11-14 |title=Wofai Samuel speaks on 'Why Invest in Nigeria' |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/wofai-samuel-speaks-on-why-invest-in-nigeria/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Vanguard}} and international interest.{{Cite web |last=Okogba |first=Emmanuel |date=2019-11-18 |title=Wofai Samuel leads keynote presentation for Produced Water Management Conference, Africa |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/11/wofai-samuel-leads-keynote-presentation-for-produced-water-management-conference-africa/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Vanguard}}{{Cite web |last=Fidelis |first=Melody |title=West Africa: 'West Africa Trade, Export Finance Confab to Boost Opportunities' |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201802190092.html |access-date=February 11, 2025 |website=Allafrica}}
= Non-governmental engagements =
On 24 December 2020,{{Cite web|date=2021-01-03|title=Wofai Samuel elected as Communications Chair for United States of America's Exchange Program YALI|url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/wofai-samuel-elected-as-communications-chair-for-united-states-of-americas-exchange-program-yali/|access-date=2021-12-25|website=The Sun Nigeria}} Samuel was elected for a one-year term as the fourth communications chair for the Young African Leaders Initiative, YALI RLC West Africa (Nigeria Alumni). She was then sworn in as publicity secretary{{Cite web|date=2021-11-01|title=Wofai Samuel emerges publicity secretary for The United States Government Exchange Alumni Association|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/11/wofai-samuel-emerges-publicity-secretary-for-the-united-states-government-exchange-alumni-association/|access-date=2021-12-25|website=Vanguard News}} for the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association on 1 October 2021 and served until March 2024. Samuel moderated the YALI RLC West Africa Homecoming Conference in Lomé, Togo in December 2022{{Cite web |last=Fabunmi |first=Funmilayo |date=2022-12-22 |title=Young leaders centre holds homecoming in Togo |url=https://punchng.com/young-leaders-centre-holds-homecoming-in-togo/ |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}} and in Accra, Ghana in 2023.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-12-05 |title=Wofai Samuel moderates YALI RLC 2023 West Africa Homecoming in Ghana |url=https://guardian.ng/news/wofai-samuel-moderates-yali-rlc-2023-west-africa-homecoming-in-ghana/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=The Guardian}}
In March 2024, Samuel was invited to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)'s YALI Legacy Localization Design Charette in Kigali, Rwanda,{{Cite web |title=Wofai Samuel participates in YALI LL Design Charette in Rwanda|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/04/12/wofai-samuel-participates-in-yali-ll-design-charette-in-rwanda/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=This Day}} and was subsequently chosen to represent West Africa alumni on the YALI LL roadmap advisory group.
In November 2024, she was invited to USAID's YALI EXPO & Trade Show in Cape Town, South Africa.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=Wofai Samuel participates in USAID's YALI Trade Show |url=https://guardian.ng/features/wofai-samuel-participates-in-usaids-yali-trade-show/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=The Guardian}}
She is a member of ForbesBLK - a global community for Black professionals, and a member of ACE Global Leaders of Excellence Network.{{Cite web|date=8 Oct 2023 |title=Wofai Samuel gets ForbesBLK recognition for her work in social service |url=https://guardian.ng/news/wofai-samuel-gets-forbesblk-recognition-for-her-work-in-social-service/ |website=The Guardian}}
Recognitions
In 2024, 9to5 Chick ranked Samuel among the top 100 career women in Africa.{{Cite web |title=9to5Chick Unveils Top 100 Career Women in Africa, 2024 – Trending News |url=https://www.tvcnews.tv/2024/04/9to5chick-unveils-top-100-career-women-in-africa-2024/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250221100211/https://www.tvcnews.tv/2024/04/9to5chick-unveils-top-100-career-women-in-africa-2024/ |archive-date=2025-02-21 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=www.tvcnews.tv |language=en-US}}and in 2020, she was profiled by Forbes Africa as "shaping the future of the continent/Africa".https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Investing-in-Africas-Leading-Businesses-Supplement.pdf