Nigerian-born engineer Austin Chenge joins race to become next governor of Michigan

NIGERIAN-born engineering designer Austin Chenge has entered the race to become the next governor of the US state of Michigan after submitting his nomination papers to the Republican Party.

Mr Chenge, originally a native of Benue State in Nigeria, will now challenge Governor Lamar Smith for Republican Party ticket. Abdul-Rahman Balogun, the head of media and public relations unit Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, pointed out that Mr Chenge actually announced his intention to run for governor in March 2020, making him the first Republican to do so.

He added that Mr Chenge, 34, 34 is popular locally for designing the tricycle known as Wazobia in 2016 aimed at improving the lives of peasant farmers all over Africa. Since migrating to first the UK and then the US, Mr Chenge has trained to become a lawyer and has also served with the military.

Mr Balogun added: “Chenge is a law graduate from the University of Birmingham, England and since the year 2018, he has been serving with the US military as a specialist. He is decorated with the Achievement Medal as a Distinguished Honour Graduate with a cumulative grade point average of 99.8% and for exceptional performance while on active duty.”