Nigerian Corrections Officer Olukemi Ibikunle Wins 2025 UN Trailblazer Award

Olukemi Ibikunle, a Nigerian Chief Superintendent of Corrections, has received the 2025 United Nations Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers for her exceptional contributions to prison reform and rehabilitation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The United Nations Department of Peace Operations (UNDPO) recognised Ibikunle for her transformative work with the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), where she serves as a corrections unit engineer — a field traditionally dominated by men. Her initiatives have modernised prison infrastructure, strengthened national institutions, and aligned rehabilitation practices with international standards.

Guided by her belief that “peace begins behind prison walls,” Ibikunle has focused on correctional reforms that prioritise safety, dignity, and rehabilitation for detainees. “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,” she said upon receiving the honour from Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Ibikunle first joined MONUSCO in 2020 and returned to the mission in 2023 after a brief break. Among her notable achievements is the construction of an advanced security prison block in Kabare designed for high-risk detainees, including members of armed groups. She also created a model prison blueprint that now serves as a standard for improving detention conditions across the DRC.

Her innovative biogas project at Uvira Prison converts waste into clean energy, promoting sustainability while offering detainees vocational training in renewable energy.

Ibikunle is the third recipient of the UN Trailblazer Award since its inception in 2022, marking another milestone for women leading change in global justice and corrections.