The United Nations has appointed Nigerian spoken word artist and activist Maryam Bukar Hassan as its first-ever Global Advocate for Peace. The announcement was made in July 2025, marking a significant milestone in the UN’s commitment to inclusive peacebuilding.
Maryam Bukar Hassan, widely known by her stage name Alhanislam, is renowned for using poetry as a powerful tool to advocate for gender equality, youth empowerment, and social justice. Born in northern Nigeria, her work has resonated deeply with young people and marginalized communities across Africa and beyond.
As the UN’s Global Advocate for Peace, Maryam will play a critical role in championing the Women, Peace & Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace & Security (YPS) agendas. Her mission is to spotlight the leadership and participation of women and youth in building more inclusive and sustainable peace processes.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed her appointment, stating:
“Our world needs peace. We need strong voices like Maryam’s to champion the cause of peace for everyone, everywhere.”
Maryam’s poetic message, “Peace is not a silence you force into people’s mouths… It is not the absence of war; it is the presence of understanding,” has been widely shared and embraced, especially among youth navigating a world filled with uncertainty, conflict, and crises.
Melissa Fleming, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, also praised her influence, calling Maryam “a remarkable poet and peace advocate whose message is one of hope.”
Her appointment comes as the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary and renews efforts to address rising global instability and human suffering. Maryam is expected to use her voice, art, and global platform to advance peace dialogues, amplify unheard voices, and unite communities through storytelling and performance.
The designation of Maryam Bukar Hassan as the Global Advocate for Peace underscores the UN’s recognition of creative expression as a vital force in diplomacy and transformation.
Earlier in the month, on July 1st, TTYBrand Africa Magazine also honored Maryam Bukar Hassan with the Global Voice of the Year 2025 award. As the cover star of the magazine’s special issue, she was recognized as “a poetic powerhouse, amplifying African voices on global stages, driving justice, equity, and empowerment with unrelenting passion.”
“A voice the world listens to. A heart Africa is proud of,” the magazine declared, celebrating her as a true representation of advocacy, authenticity, and African brilliance on the global stage.
From commanding stages with her words to shaping global peace narratives, Maryam Bukar Hassan continues to embody the transformative power of African voices in global discourse.
