A university don, human rights attorney and respected gender advocate, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, has been selected to be honoured with the Award of Distinguished Service to Humanity by the Federal College of Education (FCE), Abeokuta, Ogun State, in recognition of her sustained contributions to education, gender justice and social development in Nigeria.
Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi, who is the Executive Chair and Founding Director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) and a faculty member at the University of Lagos, was selected for the honour following decades of engagement at the intersection of academia, law, policy advocacy and civil society leadership.
The award will be conferred during the College Awards and Cultural Night scheduled for February, 2026, at the COEASU Hall, as part of activities marking the institution’s 50th Founder’s Day Anniversary and its 26th Combined Convocation Ceremony for the award of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE).
In a letter dated January 20, 2026, the Governing Council, Provost and Management of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, described Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi as one of the few Nigerians whose largely unsung efforts have made measurable impact on educational development, humanitarian service and institutional growth.
The College explained that the Award of Distinguished Service to Humanity is traditionally reserved for individuals whose work has advanced national development through education, philanthropy and public service, while positively impacting vulnerable and marginalised groups.
According to the institution, Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi’s selection reflects her decades-long commitment to access to justice, accountability and inclusive development, particularly in advancing the rights of women and girls across Nigeria.
Founded in Lagos, the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) is a leading feminist non-governmental organisation known for its work in research, documentation, legal empowerment and policy advocacy on women’s human rights. The organisation has been instrumental in shaping national discourse on gender-based violence, reproductive health rights, accountability and democratic governance for the past 25years of its existence.
Through strategic litigation support, policy engagement and grassroots mobilisation, WARDC has worked extensively with women’s groups, community leaders and institutions across the country to challenge structural inequalities and strengthen women’s participation in governance and public life. Its evidence-based advocacy has also contributed to legislative reforms and improved civil society engagement with government.
Beyond civil society, Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi’s work as a human rights lawyer and university academic underscores her belief in education as a tool for social transformation. Her engagement within the university system, alongside her advocacy work, reflects a career dedicated to bridging scholarship, policy and practice in addressing social injustice.
The Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, expressed confidence that the honour would further inspire her contributions to the education sector and national development, while reinforcing the importance of collaboration between academic institutions and civil society.
The College congratulated Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi on a record of service it described as deserving of recognition, noting that the award aligns with its tradition of celebrating individuals whose impact transcends personal achievement and advances the public good.
