Her Royal Majesty, Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, has been named the Leadership Newspaper Social Impact Person of the Year 2024, further solidifying her reputation as a leading humanitarian voice in Nigeria and beyond.

The prestigious award was presented on April 8 during a high-profile ceremony at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The event gathered dignitaries from across the country, including the Executive Governors of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and Jigawa State, Malam Umar A. Namadi, to celebrate individuals making significant contributions to national development.

Olori Atuwatse III was recognized for her exceptional work in community empowerment, education, healthcare, and economic inclusion. As Founder and Convener of Elevate Africa, and a driving force behind The Royal Iwere Foundation (RIF), the Queen Consort has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at uplifting underserved communities, particularly women and children.

Among her foundation’s standout projects are the Teacher’s Training Programme, the Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo STEM and Innovation Lab, the Love Garden Project, and Wuwu Ore—each focused on education, health, agriculture, and social enterprise.

In her acceptance speech, Olori Atuwatse III shared a principle that guides her work:

“Seeming failure does not disqualify you. It is just an indication that you’re going in the wrong direction and that it’s time to learn something new.”

A graduate of the London School of Economics with a legal background, the Queen Consort has successfully blended entrepreneurship with philanthropy. She has founded ventures in fashion and hospitality, serves on several corporate boards, and maintains a strategic presence in both national and global development conversations.

Nationally, she serves on the High-Level Advisory Committee on Women’s Economic Empowerment and Gender in Nigeria—partnering with the federal government to tackle systemic challenges facing women.

Internationally, Olori Atuwatse III has addressed major forums including the Global Reputation Forum, African Achievers Awards, USAFRICA Business Week during the UN General Assembly, and the University of Oxford Saïd Business School.

Her accolades are numerous, including the African Achievers Award from the UK House of Lords, the African Leadership Magazine Pearl Award, and the US President’s Lifetime Achievement Award conferred by President Joe Biden in 2024. She also holds the Freedom of the City of London Award and served as a judge for the 2024 Diana Awards.

As a mother of three and wife to His Royal Majesty, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR, she remains a fierce advocate for girl-child education and women’s financial independence. Her foundation has awarded hundreds of scholarships and continues to provide seed funding and vocational training through the Royal Iwere Foundation Skills Institute (RIFSI)—a hub aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The Leadership Newspaper’s recognition of Olori Atuwatse III not only honors her personal impact but also underscores the transformative potential of traditional leadership in shaping modern, sustainable development in Nigeria.