Joe Biden hires Okolo, Nigerian-American lady as policy advisor on COVID-19.

Joe Biden, US President-elect, appointed Osaremen Okolo, a Nigerian-American, as a member of his COVID-19 response team.

Okolo, born to Nigerian parents, was one of the 100 names announced as additional White House staff members by the Biden Transition Team.

Biden is expected to be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on January 20.

Announcing her appointment, the Transitional Team said, Okolo served as Senior Health Policy Advisor to U.S. representative Jan Schakowsky of Illinois before joining the team.

She also served as legislative health policy assistant to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).

“Osaremen Okolo serves on the Biden-Harris Transition domestic policy team. Prior to joining the transition, Okolo served as Senior Health Policy Advisor to U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky of Illinois,” the transition team said.

“Okolo drafted, negotiated, and managed the Congresswoman’s legislation, oversight, and policy across a comprehensive health care and public health agenda, most recently focusing almost exclusively on the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Previously, Okolo served as Legislative Aide for Health Policy on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) for Ranking Member Patty Murray of Washington. A daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Okolo was born and raised in Massachusetts and graduated from Harvard College.”

Adewale Adeyemo, another Nigerian-American, had previously been appointed Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Department.