Nigerian corrections officer Olukemi Ibikunle has been announced as the winner of the 2025 United Nations Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers. The award was presented at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 8 October 2025, marking a defining moment in the advancement of women professionals within global peace operations.
The award, organised by the United Nations Department of Peace Operations (DPO), celebrates women who lead reforms in justice and corrections systems in conflict-affected environments. Ibikunle serves with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), where her work has strengthened the integrity and humanity of prison infrastructure while ensuring that international human rights standards remain at the heart of rehabilitation.
A Trailblazer Among Reformers
The Trailblazer Award, now in its third edition, was established by the Justice and Corrections Service of the Office for the Rule of Law and Security Institutions within the DPO. Its purpose is to honour government-provided personnel deployed to United Nations field missions who are making extraordinary contributions to justice reform, humane detention, and access to rehabilitation.
At this year’s ceremony in New York, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General presented the honour before an audience of diplomats, peacekeeping officials, and advocates for gender inclusion. The event was recorded and streamed by UN media outlets, making Ibikunle’s achievement a global point of inspiration.
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Engineering Peace Through Human Dignity
In a field long dominated by men, Olukemi Ibikunle stands out not only for her expertise but for her belief that engineering can be a tool for compassion. As the Corrections Unit Engineer at MONUSCO, she has combined technical skill with humanitarian purpose, proving that design can transform both spaces and lives.
Her work includes the construction of an advanced-security prison block in Kabare, created to accommodate high-risk detainees, including members of armed groups, within a safe, rights-based framework. She also developed a national model-prison blueprint, which is now being used as a guide for future correctional facilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Both projects demonstrate how infrastructure can uphold safety and dignity at once, providing conditions that support rehabilitation rather than retribution.
While local media have noted her involvement in broader sustainability efforts, such as environmental and vocational initiatives, the United Nations specifically recognised her leadership in redesigning prisons to be humane, secure, and fit for purpose. Her work aligns with the UN’s growing emphasis on corrections as a foundation of peacebuilding, not merely a custodial function.
A Journey of Service and Dedication
Olukemi Ibikunle’s career in corrections spans years of steady commitment. She first served with MONUSCO from 2020 to 2022, before being redeployed in 2023. Throughout that period, her projects have improved the structural and operational integrity of detention facilities in fragile environments.
Her nomination and subsequent recognition reflect a broader institutional partnership between the Nigerian Correctional Service and the United Nations Department of Peace Operations. Nigeria remains one of Africa’s most consistent contributors of justice and corrections experts to UN peacekeeping missions, and Ibikunle’s success underscores the nation’s commitment to professionalism and reform.
Upon receiving the award, Ibikunle shared a message that resonated far beyond the ceremony hall:
“More than an award, this moment represents visibility and recognition of the countless women and girls whose voices are often silenced and whose dreams are constrained by societal expectations.”
Her statement captured the emotional heart of the ceremony. It reminded the audience that recognition is not just about personal success but about opening doors for others to walk through.
Nigeria’s Growing Impact on Global Peacekeeping
The announcement of Ibikunle’s win drew celebrations within Nigeria’s justice and security community. The Nigerian Correctional Service described her achievement as evidence of Nigeria’s growing international relevance in professional corrections management. Officials highlighted her example as proof that reform, discipline, and empathy can coexist in a profession that directly affects human lives.
Nigeria’s contribution to global peacekeeping has expanded steadily over the decades, from security operations to judicial and correctional reforms. The presence of professionals like Ibikunle strengthens not only institutional credibility but also public confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to ethical global service.
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Why the Award Matters
The UN Trailblazer Award is more than a ceremonial recognition. It represents a global shift in how the world views justice and incarceration. In many conflict-affected regions, overcrowded and poorly maintained prisons can worsen human suffering and undermine stability.
By contrast, Ibikunle’s approach treats corrections as a bridge toward peace. Her model designs promote better hygiene, mental health, and reintegration programmes that help detainees return to society with dignity and purpose.
Her achievements also highlight a crucial truth: lasting peace depends on justice systems that restore, not destroy. When correctional infrastructure is both secure and humane, it builds trust in public institutions and lays the groundwork for reconciliation.
Women Leading Change
The recognition of Ibikunle continues a global conversation about women’s roles in peacekeeping and justice. The UN’s Justice and Corrections Service emphasises that inclusive leadership brings innovation, accountability, and resilience to peace operations.
By placing women at the centre of policy and practice, the organisation seeks to transform institutions historically defined by exclusion into spaces of shared authority and collaboration.
For young women across Africa and beyond, Ibikunle’s story is a testament to what can be achieved through competence, courage, and compassion. Her journey demonstrates that leadership in security and corrections is not defined by gender but by vision and values.
A Moment That Redefines Justice
The 2025 United Nations Trailblazer Award concludes with a message that extends beyond the DRC or Nigeria. It reminds the world that human dignity must remain central to every form of justice.
Olukemi Ibikunle’s work has turned concrete walls into symbols of transformation. Through her designs, training, and reform strategies, she has shown that peacekeeping is not only about preventing conflict but about rebuilding societies from within.
Her story is not one of confinement but of liberation, liberation through compassion, design, and the quiet power of integrity.
Author’s Note:
Olukemi Ibikunle’s recognition is more than a career milestone. It is a message that peace begins behind prison walls.
By reimagining what correctional systems can be, she has taught the world that justice without humanity is hollow. Her work in Kabare and the model-prison blueprint in the DRC prove that every reform, no matter how technical, can restore hope where it was once forgotten.
References
United Nations Peacekeeping. Olukemi Ibikunle of Nigeria wins the 2025 United Nations Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers. 8 October 2025.
UN Photo / UN Web TV. United Nations Trailblazer Award Ceremony 2025.
Vanguard Nigeria. Nigerian Correctional Officer Wins 2025 UN Trailblazer Award. 10 October 2025.
