01
Who they are
A Nigerian lawyer, author, entrepreneur and humanitarian leader, Dr. Oyebode leads the Murtala Muhammed Foundation and has become a powerful advocate for African women and children.
2026 Honoree
Dr. Aisha Oyebode
Women & Girls Empowerment Award
02
Extraordinary accomplishments
Her book The Stolen Daughters of Chibok preserves interviews with 152 relatives of the 276 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram. Her work spans education, humanitarian response and the prevention of gender-based violence.
03
Why they deserve the award
She combines scholarship, advocacy and institution-building to keep women and girls visible in places where crisis and violence too often erase their voices.