Oluwaseun studied a master's degree in International Relations at Swansea University with her thesis focusing on gender equality and sex crimes against women and children. After graduating she undertook internships at the UN headquarters and Half the Sky Movement in New York.
In 2019, Oluwaseun won the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year Award and was also the winner of the Commonwealth Youth Award for Africa and Europe focusing on SDG5: Gender Equality.
Oluwaseun was born in Nigeria where she returned after her studies. She is now Executive Director of the ‘Stand to End Rape’ (STER) initiative, a youth led, non-profit organisation, offering support to women, men and young people who have experienced any form of gender-based abuse in Nigeria.
Her work has reached over 200,000 people and she now has a team of 200 volunteers based in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja.
Oluwaseun said: “Being named the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year inspires me to do more and make more of a difference. This award recognises the endless possibilities young people can have when they decide to take action in the face of injustice.
I am motivated into achieving gender equality in Nigeria and across the Commonwealth. As a survivor of sexual violence, this award is an indication that survivors of sexual violence are brave and that telling their stories is powerful. I feel honoured to be the first West African and Nigerian to win the award.
I am grateful to have received my master’s Degree at the College of Arts and Humanities as I was equipped with the knowledge and information I needed for my career path.
My favourite memory of Swansea is building a community of friends and family. I loved the Church activities, study times with other students in the library, and hopping on the bus to get to work with colleagues. As a master's student, I was keen on not only gaining academic experience, but also professional experience. I was able to get a job within the College of Arts and Humanities as well as work in other sectors. Some of these jobs contributed to funding the establishment of my organisation in Nigeria.”
