Nigerian human rights lawyer Oluwafunke (Funke) Adeoye is the recipient of the 2025 International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Outstanding Young Lawyer Award for demonstrating a remarkable blend of legal brilliance and passion for justice.
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The IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee annually presents an award to a young lawyer who has shown excellence in their career to date, commitment to professional and ethical standards, and dedication to the community at large. The Award was established in recognition of William Reece Smith Jr – a past IBA President who distinguished himself as one of the most respected legal experts over the course of a career spanning more than 50 years. LexisNexis® sponsored the Award following Mr Reece Smith’s passing in 2013.
On being the 2025 awardee, Oluwafunke Adeoye said: ‘I am profoundly honoured to receive the 2025 IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. This recognition strengthens my commitment to contributing to a legal profession that truly serves people and societies. It represents every young lawyer who believes that, despite the state of our world, the law remains a critical tool for transformation. For me, the award reaffirms that the world is watching and that ethical, innovative, and people-centred lawyering matters. As someone with lived experience of what happens when systems of justice and the rule of law fail, this award carries a deeper meaning for me. It underscores the urgency of building legal institutions that are fair and accessible, not only locally but also globally, so that all communities, particularly those marginalised or unheard, can rely on the promise of justice.’
Ms Adeoye added, ‘I am deeply grateful to everyone who has shaped my journey, and I hope this recognition inspires more young lawyers and more people around the world to lead with courage and compassion as we collectively work towards a more just, inclusive, and rights-respecting global society.’
During her three-year tenure at Olumide Sofowora Chambers, which she joined at just 23 years old, Ms Adeoye quickly became one of the most dependable associates, not only for her legal acumen across complex litigation matters, but especially for her commitment to pro bono work and issues concerning human rights. Her role stood out in the case of Felix Yayu & 19 others v The State, where Ms Adeoye worked alongside partners to uncover prosecutorial misconduct, analyse voluminous records and co-argued the matter first at the High Court and then at the Court of Appeal, ultimately securing the release of the defendants.
She later founded Hope Behind Bars Africa, a bold legal movement that blends advocacy, direct legal representation and technological innovation. She resigned from a salaried position to commit fully to pro bono service, initially funding the work through freelance income.
What began as a solo effort has grown into a force of pan-African legal reform, one that has supported thousands of wrongly incarcerated individuals and contributed to major legislative wins for Nigeria. Ms Adeoye’s impact now reaches beyond Nigeria’s borders. Additionally, her tech innovations, which have engaged with different international human rights systems, have made her a prominent voice within the next generation of African legal professionals.
In a written statement the judging panel stated: ‘We are proud to announce Oluwafunke Adeoye as the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. A human rights lawyer and social innovator from Nigeria, Funke is the founder and executive director of Hope Behind Bars Africa, a nonprofit organisation working to ensure access to justice for underserved prison populations. Under her leadership, the organisation has provided legal aid to over 7,000 incarcerated individuals, developed technology tools to match detainees with pro bono lawyers, and implemented reintegration programs such as “Made in Corrections”. Funke’s tireless advocacy has led to systemic reforms and global recognition, including the prestigious 2023 Waislitz Global Citizen Award.
Her work exemplifies the power of law to drive social change and uplift marginalised communities.’ During the presentation ceremony the Co-Chairs of the IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee, Bruno Maggi and Zeina Obeid reiterated the reasons as to why Ms Adeoye was selected and congratulated her on her work. Dr Babatunde Ajibade, Chair of the Section on Public and Professional Interest (SPPI) and Ian McDougall, President of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, made the presentation on Thursday 6 November during the SPPI Awards Breakfast at the 2025 IBA Annual Conference, held in Toronto, Canada.
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