Meet 22-yr-old Nigerian nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
Zuriel Oduwole, an advocate for peace, education, and gender equality, has earned a nomination for the prestigious 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
At just 22 years old, she has made significant strides in global diplomacy, championing education access for marginalized communities and fostering meaningful change.
Her nomination is a testament to her dedication and highlights Nigeria’s growing impact on the international stage.
Zuriel Oduwole, a global advocate with Nigerian roots
Born in Los Angeles to Nigerian grandparents, Zuriel Oduwole has engaged with over 35 world leaders—including presidents and prime ministers—to discuss policies that drive development, improve education, and promote peace.
Her work emphasises systemic change, ensuring lasting benefits for disadvantaged communities.
Her diplomatic influence was evident as early as age 13 when she played a role in mediating a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela.
She met with then-President David Granger at the United Nations, advocating for peaceful dialogue as a resolution strategy.
Similarly, in 2020, she consulted with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on peace strategies amid the Arab blockade of Qatar, which was resolved peacefully the following year.
Education as a path to stability for Zuriel Oduwole
Education has been central to Oduwole’s mission from a young age. In 2017, at just 14, she met with then-U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department to advocate for ‘reward-based’ education programs aimed at improving school retention rates, especially for girls in developing nations. Her engagement with U.S. leadership reinforced her global push for education as a tool for peace and progress.
Her advocacy has led to tangible policy shifts. Notably, her involvement played a role in ending child marriage in Mozambique in 2019 following discussions with President Filipe Nyusi.
In recognition of her decade-long commitment to mediation and gender parity, she received the 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Leadership Award in 2022.
A Voice for Youth Empowerment
Oduwole’s passion for education advocacy was sparked at age nine when she witnessed young girls in Accra selling goods instead of attending school. This experience motivated her to use documentary filmmaking as a tool to raise awareness about educational barriers.
In 2013, she founded Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up (DUSUSU), an initiative empowering youth—especially girls—to champion education and leadership opportunities. The initiative has reached young people across Africa and the Caribbean, equipping them with tools to promote gender equality.
A Historic Nomination
Zuriel Oduwole’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize by the Norwegian Nobel Committee was an unexpected honor, never part of her grand ambitions.
Winners across six categories will be announced in early October, with the prestigious awards presented on December 10, marking the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s passing.
Reacting to her Nobel Peace Prize nomination, Zuriel Oduwole expressed humility and surprise. “I have never sought recognition—only to speak up where it’s needed,” she said. “This honor reflects the urgent need to invest in young voices as agents of change.”
The Nobel Peace Prize, one of the world’s most esteemed awards, celebrates individuals and organizations making profound contributions to peace and human rights. Past laureates include Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama, Wangari Maathai, and Kofi Annan.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee will announce the 2025 laureate later this year. Regardless of the outcome, Zuriel Oduwole’s nomination highlights the rising impact of youth-driven advocacy in shaping global policy and fostering sustainable peace.