Karimot Odebode

Karimot Olábísí Odébòdé is a Nigerian education advocate, lawyer, poet, and founder of Black Girl's Dream Initiative, a youth-led organization aimed at closing the gender gap.

In 2022, she was the only Nigerian on the lists of the 2022 United Nations cohort of 17 Young Leaders for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), announced at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.

She is a Youth Champion for ONE Campaign in Nigeria to helping in spearheading the fight against poverty and in 2022, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Oyo State recognized her as one of the 100 influential young people for her advocacy work.

She authored a 156-page collection of over 100 poems published by Noirledge Publishing in 2022 which gives a voice to women.

Education and early life

Odebode was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. She studied law at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, graduating with a degree in law.

Black Girl's Dream Initiative

Odebode founded the Black Girl's Dream Initiative, a youth-led organisation aimed at closing the gender gap in education and leadership, particularly for young girls in underserved communities in Nigeria. Through the initiative she has organised public speaking training, debate competitions, and essay contests for secondary school students in Ibadan, equipping young people with communication and critical thinking skills.

International recognition

In September 2022, Odebode was announced as the only Nigerian in the United Nations Secretary-General's 2022 cohort of 17 Young Leaders for Sustainable Development Goals, at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. She was selected as part of the Global Citizen Fellowship Class of 2023, a programme powered by BeyGOOD.

She serves as a Youth Champion for the ONE Campaign in Nigeria, working to fight poverty and inequality. In 2022, the Oyo State Ministry of Youth and Sports recognised her as one of the 100 most influential young people in the state for her advocacy work.

Poetry

In March 2022, Odebode released her debut poetry collection, a 156-page book of over 100 poems published by Noirledge Publishing, giving voice to women's experiences and challenging barriers facing women in Nigerian society.