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Zuriel Oduwole, a 22-year-old advocate for peace, education, and gender equality, has been nominated for the prestigious 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
Born in Los Angeles to Nigerian grandparents, Oduwole has made significant strides in global diplomacy, championing education access for marginalized communities and fostering meaningful change.
Oduwole’s nomination is a testament to her dedication and highlights Nigeria’s growing impact on the international stage.
She 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 emphasizes systemic change, ensuring lasting benefits for disadvantaged communities.
Oduwole’s diplomatic influence was evident as early as age 13 when she played a role in mediating a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela.
She has also consulted with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on peace strategies amid the Arab blockade of Qatar.
Education has been central to Oduwole’s mission from a young age. 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 advocacy has led to tangible policy shifts, including ending child marriage in Mozambique in 2019.
Oduwole’s passion for education advocacy was sparked at age nine when she witnessed young girls in Accra selling goods instead of attending school.
She founded Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up (DUSUSU), an initiative empowering youth—especially girls—to champion education and leadership opportunities.
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 .
