Timi Olagunju, a Nigerian graduate of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, has cautioned the U.S. government against scrapping the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, warning that such a move would harm both international students and the U.S. economy.
The OPT programme allows international graduates to gain work experience in their fields of study within the U.S. However, a bill introduced by Representative Paul Gosar and eight other lawmakers seeks to terminate the initiative, claiming it disadvantages American workers by incentivizing employers to hire foreign talent.
In an interview with PUNCH Diaspora Tales, Olagunju countered this narrative, stating, “If the bill is passed, it will do more harm than good—to students, the U.S. economy, and even American workers.” He emphasized that more than half of graduate students in U.S. engineering and computer science programmes are international, and removing OPT could push these talents to other countries.
Olagunju, who also holds a law degree from the University of Ibadan, urged U.S. policymakers to reconsider. He noted that over 70 Nigerians graduated from Harvard Kennedy School this year, highlighting the institution’s global relevance. Olagunju earned a Master’s in Public Administration with a focus on Artificial Intelligence Governance and Economics.
“Harvard equips you with cutting-edge tools and a global network,” he said. “But it also challenges you to consider how your life can make a meaningful impact.”
