Nigeria’s Aderonke Atoyebi wins global award for driving change through sport
Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi has gained global recognition after being named the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) Role Model of the Year in Copenhagen, Denmark, for her work in using sport to promote empowerment and inclusion.
The ISCA Awards, held every two years, celebrate individuals and organisations that use sport and physical activity to improve communities and drive social progress around the world. This year’s event attracted nominations from several countries, spotlighting people who have turned sport into a tool for transformation.
Atoyebi stood out for her consistent advocacy for gender equality, youth development, and social inclusion. Through her work, she has demonstrated how sport can unite communities and open doors of opportunity, especially for young women.
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“This award means a lot to me,” Atoyebi said after receiving the honour. “It’s a testament to the hard work my team and I have put in over the years. Being recognised on such an international stage proves that no effort toward positive change ever goes unnoticed.”
She received a €3,000 cash prize as part of the award, along with international exposure for her initiatives.
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Atoyebi’s recognition adds to Nigeria’s growing footprint in global sport-for-development efforts. For years, she has been a prominent voice for using sport beyond competition, as a tool to bridge divides and inspire inclusion in local communities.
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Atoyebi has worked as a journalist for The Sun Newspaper, Naij.com and Premium Times, where she covered sports and national issues. She was a finalist for the 2016 CNN African Journalist Award.
Now serving as Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), she has been credited with helping shape the organisation’s public image.
Her journey, from newsroom to national office and now global recognition, reflects a career built on persistence and purpose.
