Ekiti NYC Hails Ogunrotimi’s Global Citizen Prize Win, Calls for Government Recognition as Role Model for Youth.

Ekiti NYC Hails Ogunrotimi’s Global Citizen Prize Win, Calls for Government Recognition as Role Model for Youth.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

The Ekiti State chapter of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) has lauded gender advocate and lawyer, Omowumi Ogunrotimi, for her remarkable achievement in winning the prestigious 2025 Global Citizen Prize. The organisation described Ogunrotimi as a beacon of hope and a role model for Nigerian youth, urging the government to formally recognize her contributions.

In Pic: Omowumi Ogunrotimi.

Ogunrotimi, founder of the Gender Mobile Initiative, was recently named one of the winners of the 2025 Global Citizen Prize alongside other global changemakers, including Valeriia Rachynska (Ukraine), Taily Terena (Brazil), and Lydia Amenyaglo (Ghana). The award celebrates individuals making significant efforts to combat extreme poverty, gender inequality, and systemic injustice.

In a statement released on Monday, the NYC noted Ogunrotimi’s groundbreaking work in gender advocacy and systems change, which has spanned over a decade. Her efforts have led to the adoption of sexual harassment policies in 26 Nigerian states and over 150 higher institutions. Additionally, she played a crucial role in championing the Sexual Harassment Prohibition Bill at the Federal House of Representatives.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Youth Congress in Ekiti State, Aare Adedara Topmost, commended Ogunrotimi for her tireless commitment to gender equality and social justice, saying her achievements have brought Ekiti to the global stage. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, Topmost praised Ogunrotimi as an inspiration to young Nigerians, saying, “Omowumi Ogunrotimi is a shining light, not just for Ekiti but for Nigeria. Her tireless efforts in advancing gender equality, promoting justice, and empowering women and girls are worthy of global recognition. We are proud of her, and she stands as a role model for many young Nigerians who are passionate about creating change.”

In Pic: The Chairman of Nigerian Youth Congress Ekiti State Chapter, Aare Adedara Topmost.

He further emphasized that Ogunrotimi’s success proves that young people can drive significant impact in both national and international policy. “Her Global Citizen Prize win is well-deserved, and we celebrate her,” he added.

Ogunrotimi’s current roles include serving on the Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee, chaired by the First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji. She is also an Ashoka Fellow and has received numerous accolades, including the Commonwealth Award, World Justice Forum Honoree, and the Attorney General Award on Gender Equality.

Through her organization, the Gender Mobile Initiative, Ogunrotimi continues to lead efforts aimed at creating safer spaces, promoting equity, and dismantling harmful societal norms. Her global recognition places her among a growing league of young African leaders making waves through grassroots change and policy advocacy.

This recognition further solidifies Ogunrotimi’s status as a leading force in gender advocacy and a source of pride for Ekiti and Nigeria as a whole.