In a groundbreaking achievement, 22-year-old Zuriel Oduwole, a globally recognized 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 been making waves on the global stage since her early teens. With a resume that includes meetings with over 35 world leaders, her relentless efforts have propelled policies aimed at expanding education access and fostering social reforms.
Oduwole’s diplomatic prowess emerged at just 13 when she played a role in mediating a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela at the United Nations. Her advisory work extended to Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during the Arab blockade of Qatar, a crisis that ended in 2021.
A firm believer in education as a tool for peace, she met with then-U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in 2017 to champion ‘reward-based’ learning strategies in developing nations. Her advocacy led to the historic decision by Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi to outlaw child marriage in 2019.
Recognized for her decade-long commitment to mediation and youth empowerment, she was awarded the prestigious Ban Ki-moon Leadership Award in 2022. Through her initiative, Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up, Oduwole continues to inspire young people—especially girls—to pursue leadership and education as catalysts for change.
Reacting to her Nobel nomination, Oduwole expressed humility and gratitude, stating, “I have never sought recognition, only to speak up where it’s needed. This honor reflects the need to invest in young voices as agents of change.”
The Nobel Peace Prize, one of the world’s most esteemed accolades, has previously been awarded to icons like Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, and Wangari Maathai. The 2025 laureate will be announced later this year, with the world watching closely to see if Oduwole will make history as one of the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winners ever.
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