Young Yoruba girl, Zuriel Oduwole Nominated for 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
February 24, 2025
A 23-year old Yoruba girl has been nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Price.
The young lady Zuriel Oduwole is a renowned advocate for peace, education, and gender equality.
His name has come up for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing her outstanding contributions to global diplomacy and social impact.
press release on Sunday highlighted Oduwole’s extensive efforts in shaping international discussions on education, peace, and development, particularly in marginalized communities. Through her advocacy, she has worked to influence policy, engage world leaders, and drive systemic change on a global scale.
A Global Advocate for Change
Born in Los Angeles to Nigerian grandparents, Oduwole has met with numerous presidents, prime ministers, and policymakers, using her platform to address pressing global issues.
Her advocacy for education as a catalyst for peace and development has been central to her mission from an early age. She first recognized the barriers to education at just nine years old, after witnessing young girls in Accra, Ghana working as street vendors instead of attending school. This experience inspired her to use documentary filmmaking as a tool to highlight educational challenges and advocate for change.
By 13, Oduwole played a diplomatic role in mediating a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, meeting with then-President David Granger at the United Nations to emphasize the need for peaceful dialogue.
In 2020, during the Arab blockade of Qatar, she consulted with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on strategies for regional stability. The blockade concluded peacefully in 2021, underscoring the relevance of diplomatic engagement in resolving international conflicts.
A Milestone for Youth Advocacy
Oduwole’s nomination highlights both her personal achievements and Nigeria’s growing influence on the global stage. As the founder of “Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand”, she has empowered young people—especially girls—to advocate for their rights and future opportunities.
Upon learning of her Nobel Peace Prize nomination, Oduwole expressed gratitude while calling for greater investment in youth leadership:
“I have never sought recognition, only to speak up where it’s needed. This honor reflects the urgent need to invest in young voices as agents of change.”
Her impact through storytelling, diplomacy, and advocacy has not only influenced global policies but also fostered a more inclusive and equitable world.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee is set to announce the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate later this year. Regardless of the outcome, Oduwole’s nomination underscores the increasing role of youth advocacy in shaping global policy and fostering sustainable peace.
The Nobel Peace Prize remains one of the world’s most prestigious honors, awarded to individuals and organizations that have made profound contributions to peace, human rights, and conflict resolution.