By Abiola Olawale
A 22-year-old Nigerian, Zuriel Oduwole, has made headlines for her nomination for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
Born in Los Angeles to Nigerian grandparents, Oduwole has spent much of her young life engaging with global leaders and championing causes that uplift marginalized communities.
A statement issued by the Nobel Committee reveled that Oduwole was nominated for her activism. At the age of 13, she was already mediating a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, meeting with then-President David Granger at the United Nations to emphasize the importance of peaceful dialogue.
Her diplomatic efforts didn’t stop there. In 2020, at the age of 17, she consulted with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on global peace strategies during the Arab blockade of Qatar, which concluded peacefully in 2021.
Her work also extended beyond diplomacy. As the founder of the initiative “Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up,” Oduwole has empowered young people to advocate for their rights and seize opportunities for their future.
A statement by the Nobel committee reads: “At 13, Oduwole mediated a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, meeting with then-President David Granger at the United Nations to emphasise the importance of peaceful dialogue.
“In 2020, she consulted with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on global peace strategies during the Arab blockade of Qatar, which concluded peacefully in 2021.”
