Zuriel Oduwole is an American education advocate, filmmaker, and youth diplomat dedicated to advancing access to global education and promoting gender equality.
Zuriel Oduwole is recognized internationally for her efforts and has engaged with world leaders, policymakers, and organizations to advocate for systemic reforms in education, while also fostering gender parity. As the founder of “Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up,” she empowers young people, particularly girls, to advocate for their rights and future opportunities. Through storytelling and diplomacy, Oduwole continues to inspire change, influence policies, and create a more inclusive and equitable world.
In 2017, at just 14 years old, she met with then-U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department to advocate for reward-based education programs in developing nations, focusing specifically on improving school retention for girls. This engagement with U.S. leadership reinforced her global efforts, promoting education as a driver of peace and opportunity.
At just 22 years old, she has significantly influenced global diplomatic discussions on education and peace, aiming to create opportunities for marginalized communities. Her nomination highlights Nigeria’s growing influence on the global stage.
Born in Los Angeles to Nigerian grandparents, Oduwole has engaged with over 35 world leaders, focusing on improving education access and promoting systemic change. At 13, she mediated a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela at the United Nations, emphasizing peaceful dialogue. In 2020, she consulted with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on peace strategies during the Arab blockade of Qatar, which ended peacefully in 2021.
Her advocacy for education, vital for development and stability, has been a central part of her mission since childhood.
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, thanks to discussions with President Filipe Nyusi.
Oduwole’s commitment to education began at the age of 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 barriers to education. 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 them with tools to promote gender equality.
Upon learning of her Nobel Peace Prize nomination, Oduwole expressed humility and surprise, stating, “I have never sought recognition; I only aim to speak up where it’s needed. This honor reflects the urgent need to invest in young voices as agents of change.”
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. Past recipients include Nelson Mandela, former U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama, Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai, and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
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.
