Catholic Nun wins $1.2m Opus Prize
Sister Francisca Ngozi Uti, founder and executive director of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) in Abuja, Nigeria, has been awarded the 2024 Opus Prize. The prestigious $1.2 million honor recognizes extraordinary humanitarian efforts worldwide.
During the award ceremony on November 14 at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit institution in California’s Silicon Valley, Sister Ngozi, a member of the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ), expressed profound gratitude.
“Did I ever imagine being nominated as the laureate? Honestly, no,” she said. “Words seem inadequate to capture the depth of my joy. My heart overflows with gratitude. I never dreamed the work my team and I have been doing in remote communities would gain recognition, not just locally but across the Atlantic in the United States.”
Ngozi thanked the Opus Prize jury for believing in her mission to alleviate suffering among marginalized groups.
“By choosing CWSI as the 2024 Opus Prize winner, you have placed a significant responsibility on us; to whom much is given, much is expected,” she said. “CWSI will not betray your trust. I accept this award on behalf of all the women, girls, and men who have partnered with us to create positive change in their lives and communities.”
Reflecting on her journey, Sister Ngozi credited her father for ensuring she received an education despite societal challenges.
“Thank you, Papa. Your sacrifice was not in vain,” she said, adding that her congregation’s founder, Mother Mary Charles Magdalene Walker, inspired her life of courage and faith.
CWSI, under Sister Ngozi’s leadership, empowers women to become politically aware, socially responsible, and economically independent. The organization also advocates for women’s inclusion in government roles and the enforcement of legal provisions against gender-based violence in five Nigerian states.
Sister Ngozi also praised her fellow finalists: Jesuit Father Zachariah Presutti, founder of Thrive for Life Prison Project in New York, and Cătălin and Bianca Albu of Jesuit Refugee Service in Romania.
“This recognition is not just for me or CWSI. It is for every woman and girl whose resilience and courage inspire our mission. May God bless you abundantly for your generosity and support,” she said.
The Opus Prize celebrates faith-based leaders addressing systemic issues and transforming lives in meaningful ways. With this honor, Sister Ngozi’s work continues to uplift countless lives across Nigeria.