Olukemi Ibikunle, a correctional officer from Nigeria deployed to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), believes that peace begins behind prison walls.  

As the MONUSCO Corrections Unit Engineer, Ms. Ibikunle brings her technical expertise to a traditionally male-dominated field, leading high-impact projects that promote safe, secure, and humane prison infrastructure and practices. 

She led a pilot initiative for the construction of an advanced security prison block in Kabare for high-risk detainees, including members of armed groups. This block was designed not only to improve prison security but also to advance rehabilitation, reintegration, and long-term stability. 

Ms. Ibikunle also developed a model prison blueprint tailored to the needs of both women and men in detention. This blueprint now serves as a reference for national authorities, guiding efforts to standardize prison design and improve detention conditions across the country. 

Among her most innovative projects was the Biogas initiative at Uvira Prison – the first of its kind in the DRC. Launched in 2021, the system treated human waste to generate clean energy, improve hygiene, and improve living conditions. It also equipped detainees with skills in biogas management and gardening. 

Her initiatives go beyond infrastructure—they reflect a holistic vision of rehabilitation where women and men prisoners are treated with dignity and provided with opportunities.  

Her food security programs in Luzumu and Kabare prisons have reduced malnutrition-related fatalities while providing detainees with practical skills for reintegration. 

To engage with prisoners, staff, and local communities, Ms. Ibikunle learned both French and Swahili upon deployment. 

Through her technical engineering expertise and unwavering advocacy for humane treatment, Olukemi Ibikunle is helping reshape the prison system in the DRC. Her work strengthens institutional capacity, promotes rehabilitation, and fosters social cohesion—key pillars of sustainable peace and security.

As she says, “The way we treat people in detention shapes who they become when they return to society.” 

To learn more about the Trailblazer Award and learn about all the shortlist candidates, visit our Trello board!