AFRICA | 20-year-old Nigerian lady breaks record at Oxford University, becomes first black woman Union President
Anita Okunde, a 20-year-old Nigerian student at the University of Oxford, has made history as the first-ever Black woman elected as President of the prestigious Oxford Union.
Anita, an award-winning activist, I Will Ambassador, and public speaker focusing on intersectional climate justice and feminism expressed her excitement on social media after her groundbreaking win.
She described the Oxford Union as “the most elite” institution and credited her success to her faith, quoting John 15:7.
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“First EVER black woman elected as Oxford Union President & a proud state school President, built not bought, a dying breed! It has been an honour, and I cannot wait to serve as your president. All the glory be to God honestly,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Anita is currently pursuing a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at Oxford University.
She shared her vision for the Union in an interview with Cherwell, emphasizing her plans to address underrepresentation in leadership roles, improve inclusivity, and provide better provisions for individuals with disabilities and other protected characteristics.
“I believe that strengthening the Union’s financial position is essential to funding initiatives that would open the doors to a more diverse range of students and make them feel truly welcome,” she said.
She also highlighted her past efforts to promote women-focused initiatives, such as organizing professional headshot sessions and social gatherings.
“While these have been impactful, with additional resources, we could dramatically improve the scale and quality of these initiatives,” she said . Anita’s personal connection to the Oxford Union runs deep from her father’s interest in it.
“My dad, who didn’t finish secondary school, uses the Oxford Union debates to understand English and the British accent. So, having my paper speech be part of that has always been something I take great personal pride in,” she said.
In a closely contested election, Anita won the presidency for Trinity Term 2024 with 564 first-preference votes, narrowly defeating her opponent Siddhant Nagrath by 44 votes.
Her election adds to an already impressive résumé. Recognized by Forbes as one of the top 100 environmentalists, Anita has dedicated herself to empowering young people and advocating for sustainability.
She also served as a Youth Commissioner for the Well-being of Future Generations Bill, a legislation advancing through the UK Parliament.
Anita’s leadership experience includes a 20-month tenure as Treasurer of the Oxford Union, five months as Director of Media, and a recent role as Socioeconomic Officer. She was also an elected member of the Secretary’s Committee for seven months.
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