Queen Irene Onwuka, founder of the Queen Irene Onwuka Peace Foundation (QIOP), has been honoured at the African Women’s Achievers Awards and Summit (AWAA 2025) in South Africa.
She was named among the 100 African Women Change Makers and also received the African Icon 2025 for Economic Advancement award.
The recognition celebrates trailblazing women from across 30 African nations who are driving the continent’s growth and prosperity.
Reacting via social media, Queen Onwuka expressed gratitude, describing the honour as a call to do more for Africa’s development.
“I was thrilled and honoured to be recognized as one of the 100 African change makers and African Icon 2025 for Economic Advancement. This is an award I don’t take for granted. It is a call for more efforts and contributions in whatever way we can for the economic good of Africa,” she said.
All AWAA 2025 winners were also inducted into the Women’s Empowerment Achievers Forum, solidifying their impact on Africa’s advancement. In addition, a select group of honorees, including Queen Onwuka, received honorary doctorate degrees for their contributions to building a better Africa.
Queen Onwuka, through her foundation, has been instrumental in child education, women’s empowerment, and disability advocacy. Recently, her NGO signed a historic partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, aimed at expanding capacity-building initiatives for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
She was previously recognised as the African Iconic Young Humanitarian at the African Iconic Women Recognition Awards (AIWRA).
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