A Nigerian correctional officer, Olukemi Ibikunle, has brought pride to the nation after being named the recipient of the 2025 United Nations Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers.
The honour, now in its third year, celebrates outstanding women serving in justice and correctional roles within UN peace operations.
Ibikunle was recognised for her groundbreaking work with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), where she has led several reform projects reshaping prison infrastructure and rehabilitation systems.
According to a statement released by the UN House in Abuja, the award ceremony will be held today (Wednesday) at the UN Headquarters in New York, with the UN Deputy Secretary-General presenting the honour.
Dignitaries expected at the event include Margaret Satterthwaite, UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers; Amy Jarrette, Deputy Commissioner for Women of the Correctional Service Canada; and envoys from various member states.
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Ibikunle, who serves as MONUSCO’s Corrections Unit Engineer, has been lauded for her leadership in improving detention facilities and aligning prison standards in DR Congo with international best practices — a feat that has made her one of the most respected female officers in a field dominated by men.
“Peace begins behind prison walls,” she is often quoted as saying, reflecting her belief that dignity, safety and rehabilitation inside prisons are essential to lasting peace.
Reacting to the honour, Ibikunle said the award was not just a personal win but a tribute to women across the world breaking barriers in spaces where their voices are often ignored.
“More than an award, this moment represents visibility and recognition for the countless women and girls whose dreams are constrained by societal expectations,” she said.
Her remarkable contributions under MONUSCO include the construction of an advanced high-security prison block in Kabare, designed for high-risk detainees such as members of armed groups.
She also designed a model prison blueprint to standardise correctional facility designs across the DRC.
Ibikunle’s innovation also extended to sustainability, with her Biogas Initiative at Uvira Prison converting waste into clean energy. The project not only improved hygiene and environmental conditions but also offered inmates vocational training — giving them skills to reintegrate into society after their sentences.
The Trailblazer Award, established in 2022 by the UN’s Justice and Corrections Service under the Department of Peace Operations, aims to recognise women shaping justice and correctional systems within UN missions.
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It also seeks to challenge gender stereotypes and promote equal participation in peacekeeping and security institutions.
While the UN continues to push for gender parity in peace operations, experts say women in uniformed services still face discrimination and limited career growth opportunities. However, officers like Ibikunle continue to prove that resilience and excellence can dismantle long-standing barriers.
Her story stands as an inspiration to many; a testament to the power of leadership, innovation and quiet courage beyond the prison walls.
