UN Appoints Nigerian Poet as First Global Advocate for Peace

Strategic Insights -

Maryam Bukar Hassan, a 28-year-old Nigerian poet, has been designated by the United Nations as its first Global Advocate for Peace. This move marks a significant milestone in the organization's efforts to promote gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive peacebuilding. As a spoken word artist and peace advocate from Biu in Borno State, Bukar has gained international recognition for her powerful performances and advocacy for social change. She has performed on prestigious platforms such as the UN SDG Awards, TED Talks, and the World Bank Youth Summit, and has partnered with the UN on initiatives like the Peace Begins With Me poetry video for the International Day of Peace.

Key Takeaways:

  • Maryam Bukar Hassan, a Nigerian poet, has been appointed as the first Global Advocate for Peace by the United Nations.
  • She will use her role to promote gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive peacebuilding through poetry and performance.
  • Bukar has performed on several prestigious global platforms, including the UN SDG Awards, TED Talks, and the World Bank Youth Summit.
  • She has partnered with the UN on initiatives such as the Peace Begins With Me poetry video for the International Day of Peace and the 2024 Summit of the Future.
  • Bukar will contribute to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agendas through storytelling, digital engagement, and public speaking.
  • She will also participate in major UN events and campaigns, including a performance at New York City's Summer Stage festival alongside renowned artists Femi Kuti and Elida Almeida.
  • Nigerian Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has congratulated Bukar on her appointment, describing it as a testament to her exceptional use of art, poetry, and advocacy for peace.

Statistics:

  • Bukar has gained international recognition for her powerful performances and advocacy for social change.
  • She has performed on 3 prestigious global platforms, including the UN SDG Awards, TED Talks, and the World Bank Youth Summit.
  • Bukar has partnered with the UN on 2 initiatives, including the Peace Begins With Me poetry video for the International Day of Peace and the 2024 Summit of the Future.

Sources:

  • Voice of Nigeria, 27 July 2025
  • United Nations (Interview quotes from Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo)
  • Twitter (UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J Mohammed's message)