Oluwatobiloba Ajayi, an advocate for children living with cerebral palsy, has been announced winner of the inaugural The Nigeria Prize for Difference and Diversity.

The announcement was made on December 10, 2020, to commemorate World Human Rights Day. In addition to a N1 million cash reward, Ajayi will receive mentorship opportunities and extensive media visibility.

The Nigeria Prize for Difference and Diversity was founded and endowed by media personality Chude Jideonwo with the aim of “foster(ing) a culture of inclusion in all spheres of Nigerian life.” In its inaugural year, fifteen finalists  representing a varied range of activism and advocacy were nominated. The finalists were selected by a stellar judging panel and participated in a week-long virtual workshop in October where they had the opportunity to meet and be mentored by an equally stellar faculty including Aisha Osori, Aisha Yesufu, Olumide Makanjuola, Kiki Mordi.

Oluwatobiloba Ajayi is the founder of the Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, which was set up in 2017. Born with cerebral palsy herself, Ajayi took note of the limited options available to survivors of the condition especially with regards to educational access and worked towards providing a special needs program that has reached over 75 children with cerebral palsy and benefited 360 households.

Chude Jideonwo said, “Ms. Ajayi’s work inspires me deeply, as it should inspire all of us. I really, deeply hope that this prize gives her all the attention she and her work need to expand their reach and impact. The work is so important in creating a space to nurture and support difference, to expand society’s definition of normal, and to force us to pay attention to what truly matters – our common humanity.”

Brittle Paper congratulates Olutobiloba Ajayi.