By Cynthia Talatu Batuta
Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, Country Director of Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France) in Nigeria, has been honored with the Robert Badinter Grand Prix Finalist Award at the conclusion of the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty held in Paris this week.
The Robert Badinter Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious international honors in the global abolition movement. It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional courage, leadership, and impact in the fight to end capital punishment. Ms. Uzoma-Iwuchukwu was presented with an official Finalist Award Certificate at the Congress ceremony. The Grand Prix was awarded to another laureate at the event.
The jury recognized Ms. Uzoma-Iwuchukwu for her courageous and inspiring work to advance the abolition of the death penalty in Nigeria. Through strategic litigation, advocacy with lawmakers, capacity building for the judiciary and justice sector actors, prison monitoring, and direct legal aid to death row inmates, she has been instrumental in saving lives and pushing for legislative and policy reforms.
Her recognition comes amid a critical human rights context in Nigeria. As of December 2025, Nigeria holds the largest death row population in Sub-Saharan Africa, with over 3,742 people under sentence of death. Of this number, over 82 are women. Despite this, Nigeria has not carried out an execution for nearly a decade.
This milestone is significant: by December 2026, Nigeria will have entered its 10th consecutive year without carrying out any executions. This sustained moratorium, achieved in large part due to sustained civil society advocacy led by Ms. Uzoma-Iwuchukwu and partners, positions Nigeria for designation as a “de facto abolitionist country” in international human rights rankings.
“Nigeria reaching 10 years without executions is a milestone we must protect,” said Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, Country Director, ASF France Nigeria. “This award shows that courageous advocacy can change a country’s direction. I accept it on behalf of all Nigerians working for a justice system that respects the right to life. The next step is clear: adopt a formal moratorium on executions in law, reduce the scope of capital punishment, and build national consensus as we work toward eventual abolition. My gratitude goes to our team, partners, and all who supported this journey.”
ASF France has worked in Nigeria since, providing free legal assistance, training for lawyers and judges, and advocacy for compliance with international human rights standards. The organization commended Ms. Uzoma-Iwuchukwu’s leadership and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s path toward full abolition.
The 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty brought together abolitionists, jurists, and policymakers from over 100 countries to assess progress and renew commitments to end capital punishment globally.
About Avocats Sans Frontières France
Avocats Sans Frontières France is an international human rights organization that works to promote access to justice and respect for the Rule of Law. In Nigeria, ASF France works to ensure fair trials, combat torture and ill-treatment, support death penalty abolition efforts, promote press freedom and digital rights.
For media inquiries, contact:
Email: office.nigeria@avocatssansfrontieres-france.org