By Ed Malik, A | ed@ddnewsonline.com | posted 24th february, 2025
Zuriel Oduwole, a 22-year-old advocate for peace, education, and gender equality, has been nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
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Zuriel Elise Oduwole is an American education advocate and film maker best known for her works on the advocacy for the education of girls in Africa. Her advocacy has since made her in the summer of 2013 at the age of 10, the youngest person to be profiled by Forbes
Born in Los Angeles to Nigerian grandparents, Oduwole has engaged with several world leaders, including presidents and prime ministers, to discuss policy and development issues.
Her notable movies includes The Ghana Revolution and A Promising Africa. Her efforts focus on improving education access for marginalised communities and promoting systemic change.
At the age of 13, Oduwole mediated a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, meeting with then-President David Granger at the United Nations to emphasize 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.
Her advocacy for education began at nine when she observed young girls in Accra selling goods instead of attending school. This experience inspired her to use documentary filmmaking to raise awareness about educational barriers.
In 2013, she founded “Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up” (DUSUSU) to empower youth, especially girls, to advocate for education and leadership opportunities. The initiative has reached young people across Africa and the Caribbean, providing tools to promote gender equality.
In 2022, Oduwole received the 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Leadership Award in New York, recognizing her decade-long mediation efforts and advocacy for gender parity. Her involvement was instrumental in ending child marriage in Mozambique in 2019, following discussions with President Filipe Nyusi.
Upon learning of her Nobel Peace Prize nomination, Oduwole expressed humility and surprise, stating, “I have never sought recognition, only to speak up where it’s needed.” The Norwegian Nobel Committee will announce the 2025 laureate later this year. Regardless of the outcome, Oduwole’s nomination underscores the growing impact of youth advocacy in global policy and sustainable peace efforts.
As the founder of ‘Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand,’ she is empowering young people, particularly girls, to advocate their rights and future opportunities. Through storytelling and diplomacy, Oduwole has inspired change, influencing policies and creating a more inclusive and equitable world.
The Nobel Peace Prize, one of the world’s most esteemed honors, acknowledges individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to peace and human rights. The Norwegian Nobel Committee is expected to announce the 2025 laureate later this year.
Regardless of the outcome, Oduwole’s nomination underscores the growing impact of youth advocacy in global policy and sustainable peace efforts.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, responsible for selecting the laureates, maintains strict confidentiality regarding nominees, with details withheld for 50 years
However, nominators can choose to disclose their nominations publicly.
The nomination process for the Nobel Peace Prize involves several stages. Qualified nominators, including members of national assemblies, governments, and university professors, submit nominations by January 31. The Norwegian Nobel Committee then reviews the nominations, creates a shortlist, and consults with advisers before selecting the laureate(s) through a majority vote. The laureate(s) are announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place on December 10 in Oslo, Norway.
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Zuriel Oduwole’s nomination highlights the increasing influence of youth advocates in shaping global policies and promoting sustainable peace efforts.