Nigerian Lawyer Funke Adeoye Wins Global IBA Excellence Award

The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), under the distinguished leadership of His Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Hezekiah Duru , proudly felicitates and associates itself with the well-deserved honour bestowed upon Nigerian lawyer and human rights advocate Funke Adeoye, who has been awarded the prestigious Outstanding Young Lawyer Award by the International Bar Association (IBA).

Adeoye received this global recognition on Thursday at the IBA’s Annual Conference held in Toronto, Canada, following her selection from a competitive pool of exceptional young legal practitioners worldwide. The award recognizes young lawyers aged 35 and below who have demonstrated extraordinary professional contributions to the rule of law, service to humanity, and ethical excellence.

His Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Hezekiah Duru , expressed immense pride in Adeoye’s achievement, stating: “Funke Adeoye’s recognition on the world stage is a testament to the caliber of passionate, reform-driven legal minds emerging from Nigeria. Her dedication to justice for the marginalized and her innovative approach to addressing systemic challenges in our criminal justice system exemplify the values that the International Human Rights Commission stands for. We are honored to celebrate this milestone with her and with Nigeria.”

South West Regional Volunteer Coordinator Comrade David Atobaje and Lagos State Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Ade Adesokan expressed particular delight at this achievement, noting that this young lawyer has once again placed Nigeria’s name in global recognition and brought honor to the nation through her exceptional work in human rights and justice advocacy.

“We are exceptionally proud that a Nigerian lawyer of Funke Adeoye’s caliber continues to elevate our nation’s standing in the international community,” said Comrade David Atobaje. “Her work demonstrates that Nigerian legal practitioners are at the forefront of driving meaningful change and advancing human rights on the global stage.”

Comrade Ade Adesokan added: “This recognition reinforces our belief that dedication to justice, coupled with innovation and compassion, can transform lives and systems. Funke has shown that young Nigerian lawyers can compete and excel at the highest international levels while making tangible differences in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.”

Funke Adeoye founded Hope Behind Bars Africa at the age of 26, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping indigent inmates access justice and advocating for comprehensive justice sector reforms. Within its first five years of operation, the organization rescued 416 unjustly detained innocent inmates from various Nigerian prisons through the provision of pro bono legal services.

Her pioneering work at the intersection of access to justice, human rights, and legal technology has facilitated rehabilitation and freedom for thousands of inmates while advancing structural reforms that make Nigeria’s justice system more accessible and equitable. Through innovative justice interventions, she has provided quality legal support to wrongfully incarcerated individuals, promoted criminal justice reforms, and strengthened civic engagement across the country.

A graduate of the University of Benin (LLB, 2012) who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2013, Adeoye also earned an MSc in International Human Rights Law from the University of Oxford as a Commonwealth Scholar. Her educational excellence has been magnificently channeled into service that transforms lives and reforms systems.

In accepting the award, Adeoye dedicated it to young lawyers from Africa and human rights workers upholding the rule of law in challenging environments. “This recognition is not just about me,” she said. “It represents every young lawyer who believes that in spite of the state of our world, the law still remains a critical tool for social engineering and transformation. It reaffirms that the world is watching and that ethical, innovative, and people-centered lawyering matters.”

The International Human Rights Commission is committed to promoting and protecting human rights, advancing the rule of law, and supporting advocates who work tirelessly to ensure justice and dignity for all people. Under the leadership of His Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Hezekiah Duru , the organization continues to champion human rights causes and celebrate individuals who exemplify excellence in service to humanity.

This international recognition marks a significant milestone not only for Funke Adeoye but also for Africa’s growing community of reform-driven lawyers who are redefining legal practice as a force for social good. The IHRC stands firmly behind such transformative leaders and commits to supporting their continued efforts to make justice accessible to all.