Two Nigerian peacebuilders, James Wuye and Muhammad Ashafa, have been named the winners of the first-ever Commonwealth Peace Prize for their remarkable contributions to peacebuilding and reconciliation in Nigeria.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in a congratulatory message from Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, addressed to Nigeria’s Deputy High Commissioner, Sani Suleiman.
Scotland praised Wuye and Ashafa for their dedication to bridging religious divides, fostering mutual understanding, and preventing violent conflict, describing their work as a global benchmark for peace efforts.
“As distinguished practitioners, we are confident they will serve as role models for future generations of aspiring peacebuilders,” Scotland stated.
The Commonwealth Peace Prize was introduced on September 21, 2024, to recognize individuals making significant contributions to global peacebuilding.
The The award will be formally presented on March 10 at a special Commonwealth Day ceremony at Marlborough House in London, bringing together leaders and dignitaries from across the Commonwealth.
Each winner will receive a financial grant of £50,000 to further their work in peace and reconciliation.
Wuye and Ashafa, co-founders of the Interfaith Mediation Centre, have spent years promoting dialogue and harmony between Nigeria’s religious communities, using their personal experiences as former adversaries turned peace advocates to inspire change.
