Zuriel Oduwole, a 22-year-old filmmaker, global education advocate, and doctoral student, has been nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
The recognition marks a significant milestone in her decade-long efforts to promote girls’ education and end child marriage worldwide.
Oduwole, a UCLA graduate currently pursuing a doctorate in organizational change and leadership at the University of Southern California (USC), first gained international attention at the age of 10 when she launched her advocacy initiative, Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up.
The nonprofit organization focuses on increasing educational access for girls and eliminating child marriage, a mission that has brought Oduwole into discussions with 36 world leaders, including presidents and prime ministers across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
The nomination process for the Nobel Peace Prize closed on January 31, 2025, and Oduwole’s candidacy was put forth by a USC professor of clinical education engineering, an emeritus professor from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, and a Nigerian senator.
Although she does not yet know which category she was nominated for, Oduwole’s impact in advocating for educational equity and social change makes her a strong contender for the prestigious award.
If awarded, Oduwole would join the ranks of prominent American Nobel laureates, including four U.S. presidents and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
The Nobel Prize winners in six categories will be announced in early October, with the official ceremony scheduled for December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
Oduwole’s advocacy extends beyond education. As a filmmaker and influencer, she uses storytelling to highlight the challenges young girls face globally. Her work has been recognized through numerous awards, and she continues to serve as an advisor to government officials worldwide.
Her impact also resonates within her family, with her younger sister, Azaliah, closely following in her footsteps, and her siblings Arielle and Ismachiah contributing to their shared advocacy efforts.
Their mother, Patricia Oduwole, who works in information technology, has expressed immense pride in her children’s contributions to global social change.
