Nigerian Lawyer-Poet Karimot Odebode Wins International Award for Gender Advocacy

Taipei-based foundation recognizes Odebode’s work in education and women’s rights during historic visit to Lagos.

Nigerian public-interest lawyer and poet Karimot Odebode has been named the recipient of the 29th Global Love of Lives Award by Taiwan’s Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation. The announcement marks a significant cultural and humanitarian exchange between Nigeria and Taiwan.

According to a statement released on Thursday, the award was conferred during the foundation’s inaugural international mission to Nigeria in February. A six-member delegation, led by Founder Chou Chin-Hua and Chairperson Guo Ying-Lan, travelled to Lagos to honour Odebode for her sustained advocacy in gender equality and educational access.

In the statement, Foundation Chairperson Guo Ying-Lan praised Odebode’s multifaceted contributions to social development.

“Whether in policy-making, poetry creation, or social activism, Karimot has consistently striven to build a world where girls receive education, youth are empowered, and feminist leadership shapes the future of development,” Guo said.

Odebode, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University and founder of the Black Girls’ Dream Initiative, was selected from a pool of 3,795 nominees worldwide. Her advocacy, which has been recognised at the United Nations, focuses on closing gender gaps and combating school-related gender-based violence.

In response to the honour, Odebode described the recognition as both meaningful and motivating.

“To me, trailblazing leadership is an opportunity to make an impact in the lives of people around you and beyond. This recognition is a moment of awareness, of acknowledgement, and of pride. I am really glad that my little quota of change is seen and felt,” she said.

The visit, supported by the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, extended beyond the awards ceremony. The foundation donated $5,000 to the Black Girls’ Dream Initiative and provided support to the Ayowole Academy of Arts and the Land of Hope.

Chou Shang-Guan, Executive Director of the foundation’s International Exchange Centre, said the delegation was motivated by the achievements of Nigerian changemakers. “We came to spread the positive energy of love that knows no borders and to encourage disadvantaged students and artists across the region,” he said.

The foundation also announced the publication of a Chinese edition of Odebode’s debut poetry collection and autobiography, A Woman Has Many Names, in Taiwan. The release aims to introduce Nigerian literary voices to East Asian audiences in what Ambassador Liu Yi-Ping described as a “Taiwan Love, Nigerian Affection” initiative.

Odebode and her family have been invited to Taiwan in September for the ‘Life is Love, Earth is Priceless’ charity series, where she will be formally celebrated alongside other international ‘Life Warriors’.