Young Nigerian-American activist and filmmaker, Zuriel Oduwole, has been nominated for the prestigious 2025 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her efforts in peace advocacy, education, and gender equality.
Oduwole, born in Los Angeles to Nigerian grandparents, has spent years advocating for improved education access in marginalized communities. She has engaged with several world leaders, including presidents and prime ministers, to discuss global development, policy reforms, and peace initiatives.
Her journey began at the age of nine when she witnessed young girls in Accra, Ghana, selling goods instead of attending school. This inspired her to use documentary filmmaking as a tool to highlight educational barriers and push for systemic change.
By the age of 13, Oduwole had already mediated a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, meeting with then-President David Granger at the United Nations to emphasize peaceful dialogue.
In 2020, she advised Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on global peace strategies during the Arab blockade of Qatar, which eventually ended peacefully in 2021.
Reacting to the nomination, Oduwole expressed humility, saying:
“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.”
She is the founder of ‘Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand’, a platform that empowers young people especially girls to advocate for their rights and future opportunities
The Norwegian Nobel Committee will announce the 2025 laureate later this year. Regardless of the outcome, Oduwole’s nomination signals a growing youth-led impact on global peace and policy reforms.
The Nobel Peace Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious honors, recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to peace and human rights.
Oduwole’s remarkable achievements at just 22 highlight the rising influence of young changemakers in shaping a more equitable and peaceful world.
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