COOU Law Alumna Creates Game-Changing Prize for Female Excellence
In a powerful move to uplift the next generation of female legal minds, Summer Okibe, a distinguished alumna of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), has established a prestigious ₦500,000 annual award for exceptional female law graduates at her alma mater.
The ground-breaking initiative, unveiled at COOU’s Faculty of Law, will recognize the top-performing female graduate who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership qualities, and dedication to legal practice. The prize is set to run for the next five years, creating a lasting legacy of female empowerment in Nigeria’s legal education landscape.
“This prize is my way of saying to young women: you belong at the top of the table,” declared Okibe through her representative, Associate Professor Ikenna Ibe. She reflected on her own journey through COOU’s hallways, where she once dreamed of creating better opportunities for ambitious young women in law.
The Dean of the Faculty of Law celebrated the initiative as a watershed moment, praising Okibe’s commitment to giving back to her academic roots. “Summer’s generosity is a landmark step that will leave an indelible mark on our brightest young women and the legal profession at large,” he emphasized.
But Okibe’s impact extends far beyond this academic prize. As a Just Energy Transition Analyst with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Energy Policy Analyst with the Government of Alberta, she’s making waves in sustainable energy and climate justice. Her impressive track record includes providing over 300 educational grants and scholarships to empower girls and youth, while also spearheading mentorship programs connecting African students to global opportunities.
Currently, Okibe is bringing her vision of integrated development to life through the construction of a tuition-free, solar-powered school in Enugu, demonstrating how clean energy and education can work together to create lasting change.
The inaugural Summer Okibe Prize winner will be announced at COOU’s upcoming convocation. For Okibe, this is just the beginning: “I hope this prize becomes a tradition that outlives me. More than anything, I want it to affirm for every young woman studying law that excellence is not only expected of her but celebrated.”
Those interested in following Okibe’s inspiring journey and initiatives can connect with her on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.
