Akasoba Duke-Abiola
Akasoba Duke-Abiola | |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Nigeria |
| Occupations | Lawyer, academic, human rights activist |
| Organization(s) | Akasoba Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ACPCR) |
| Known for | Peace and conflict resolution; Human Rights |
| Spouse | Moshood Abiola |
Akasoba Duke-Abiola is a Nigerian law professor, human rights activist and peace and conflict-resolution advocate. She is the chairperson of the Akasoba Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ACPCR) and is also known by the traditional title Akasoba of Kalabari.[1][2][3] In 2014, she sought the presidential nomination of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 Nigerian general election[4][5] In August 2026, the African Policy and Research Consortium endorsed her for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations[6]
Career
Duke-Abiola has worked on peacebuilding and conflict-resolution efforts through the Akasoba Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution. In July 2013, the centre invited Nigerian political leaders, including President Goodluck Jonathan and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, to a peace meeting concerning the political crisis in Rivers State. Former Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon, former President of Zambia Kenneth Kaunda and former United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali were also invited. [7]
In 2013, Duke-Abiola spoke at the Global Women Arise Forum in Melbourne, Australia, where she criticised advocacy for child marriage and called on the Sultan of Sokoto to caution Senator Sani Yerima. [8]
In 2022, she participated in the World Youth Summit for Peace organised by the International Human Rights Commission in Pakistan, where she spoke about kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other forms of violence. [9]
Political activities
Akasoba is a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).[2]
She sought the presidential nomination of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2015 Nigerian general election. In October 2014, she said that she had paid the required amount for the presidential nomination and expression-of-interest forms but was not given the forms by the party. [10][11] She filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking, among other reliefs, an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting a presidential nomination from the PDP. [12][13][14]
Human rights and peace advocacy
Duke-Abiola has advocated for peace, conflict resolution and human rights. In 2013, as chairperson of the Akasoba Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ACPCR), she supported initiatives aimed at addressing political tensions in Rivers State and promoting dialogue among political and traditional leaders. [15] In 2022, she addressed the World Youth Summit for Peace and called for stronger international action against terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of violence. [16]
Academic work
In 2025, Akasoba co-authored a paper on cloud-seeding technology and its potential influence on food security in Nigeria. The paper was published in the International Journal of Social Science, Management, Peace and Conflict Research and lists her affiliation as the Department of Security and Strategic Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi. [17]
2026 United Nations Secretary-General candidacy
In August 2026, the African Policy and Research Consortium endorsed Duke-Abiola as a candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. [18][19][20]
Personal life
Akasoba is the widow of Nigerian businessman and politician Moshood Abiola. [21][22][3]
References
- ↑ "Activist to Sultan: call Yerima to order". The Nation. 8 August 2013.
- 1 2 "Abiola's wife sues PDP over Jonathan's sole candidature - P.M. News". Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- 1 2 "Africa Backs MKO Abiola's Widow, Duke-Abiola, for UN Secretary-General Seat – THISDAYLIVE". Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- ↑ "PDP refuses presidential aspirants nomination forms". Daily Trust. 29 October 2014.
- ↑ "Come and take your forms, PDP tells Duke-Abiola". TheCable. 13 November 2014.
- ↑ "Duke-Abiola accepts UN secretary-general nomination". PUNCH. 8 August 2026.
- ↑ "Rivers Crisis: Monarch invites Jonathan, Amaechi, others for peace talks". The Nation. 29 July 2013.
- ↑ "Activist to Sultan: call Yerima to order". The Nation. 8 August 2013.
- ↑ "Stop treating murderers with kid gloves, Prof Abiola tells world leaders". Daily Trust. 2022.
- ↑ "PDP refuses presidential aspirants nomination forms". Daily Trust. 29 October 2014.
- ↑ "Come and take your forms, PDP tells Duke-Abiola". TheCable. 13 November 2014.
- ↑ "INEC should not accept PDP's nomination". The Nation. 13 November 2014.
- ↑ "Nigeria's 2015 General Elections". ACCORD. 2015.
- ↑ "Niger Delta suffered under Jonathan, says Duke-Abiola". The Nation. 13 November 2015.
- ↑ "Jonathan, Amaechi invited". The Nation. 30 July 2013.
- ↑ "Stop treating murderers with kid gloves, Prof Abiola tells world leaders". Daily Trust. 2022.
- ↑ Duke-Abiola, Queen Akasoba (2025). "Cloud seeding technology and its potential influence on food security in Nigeria". International Journal of Social Science, Management, Peace and Conflict Research. 10 (1): 125–138. doi:10.63532/IJSMPCR.20251002.
- ↑ "Duke-Abiola accepts UN secretary-general nomination". PUNCH. 8 August 2026.
- ↑ Nigeria, News Agency of. "Nigerian Akasoba Duke-Abiola Archives". Peoples Gazette Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- ↑ Ikuomola, Vincent (August 6, 2026). "African nations back Duke-Abiola for UN Secretary-General seat". The National Online.
- ↑ "Niger Delta suffered under Jonathan, says Duke-Abiola". The Nation. 13 November 2015.
- ↑ vanguard (2014-11-12). "Abiola's wife drags PDP to court, seeks Jonathan disqualification". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2026-08-09.