A Nigerian corrections officer, Olukemi Ibikunle, has received the 2025 UN Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers in recognition of her groundbreaking work in prison infrastructure and rehabilitation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The award ceremony is taking place on Wednesday at the UN Headquarters in New York, where the honour will be presented by the UN Deputy Secretary-General. The event will also feature remarks from senior officials including Margaret Satterthwaite, UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, and Amy Jarrette, Deputy Commissioner for Women of Correctional Service Canada.
Ibikunle serves as the Corrections Unit Engineer with the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). Her work has focused on raising detention standards to align with international norms and strengthening national institutions in a field typically dominated by men.
“Peace begins behind prison walls,” she often says — a reflection of her belief that humane and secure prisons are essential to long-term peacebuilding.
Reacting to the award, Ibikunle said, “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.”
Since joining MONUSCO in 2020, Ibikunle has led several key projects, including building a high-security prison block in Kabare for high-risk detainees, such as members of armed groups. She also designed a model prison blueprint to help standardize detention facilities across the country.
Among her most innovative efforts is the Biogas initiative at Uvira Prison, which turns waste into clean energy. The project improved hygiene and environmental conditions while providing vocational training for inmates to support their rehabilitation and reintegration.
The Trailblazer Award was established in 2022 by the Justice and Corrections Service of the Office for the Rule of Law and Security Institutions under the UN Department of Peace Operations. It celebrates women serving in justice and corrections roles in peace operations, highlighting their achievements and challenging systemic gender barriers.
While women’s participation in peace operations has grown, the UN notes that gender discrimination and stereotyping continue to limit their advancement. The Justice and Corrections Service is working to exceed the gender parity targets outlined in the UN’s Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy.