Zainab is a survivor, a young agent of change, and an advocate who is passionate about social issues like female genital mutilation, gender-based violence, and sexual abuse that affect women and girls in her community and across the south-western part of Nigeria. Being a survivor that has been affected by the latter was what inspired her to diversify from biochemistry to social developmental space.

She bagged a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the great Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. She served at Value Female Network (VFN), a non-profit organization in Osun, Nigeria, as the program lead and gender officer for 4 years. She had conceived and implemented over 23 health-related projects through partnerships and innovations at the grassroots across the south-western part of Nigeria.

She spearheaded a UNICEF-supported project in 2022, the ‘Movement for Good to End Female Genital Mutilation’ in Osun State, Nigeria. Through this initiative, over 10,600 women, girls, young people, and men, including those in special groups, were reached and impacted.

She has actively and passionately created awareness on gender-based violence, gender equality and facilitated safe space program for survivors like her both at the state and at the grassroots. Zainab represents the hope and dream of every young girl in her community. She believes in a world free of discrimination and a world where everyone can thrive, irrespective of their background or gender. As a Mandela Rhodes scholar, she hopes to channel the knowledge and experiences gathered throughout the scholarship program towards reaching more women and girls and solving more significant social issues across the world with high impact.