Paris/Abuja, July 4, 2026 – Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, Country Director of Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France) in Nigeria, has received the prestigious Robert Badinter Grand Prix Finalist Award at the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty held in Paris, France.

The Robert Badinter Grand Prix is among the highest international distinctions in the global movement to abolish the death penalty. The award celebrates individuals whose courage, leadership, and sustained advocacy have significantly advanced efforts to end capital punishment worldwide. While the Grand Prix was presented to another laureate, Uzoma-Iwuchukwu was honored with an official Finalist Award Certificate in recognition of her outstanding contributions.

The award jury cited her exceptional commitment to advancing death penalty abolition in Nigeria through strategic litigation, legislative advocacy, prison monitoring, capacity building for judicial and justice-sector stakeholders, and the provision of legal assistance to death-row inmates. Her efforts have contributed to saving lives and driving important legal and policy reforms.

The recognition comes at a critical moment for Nigeria’s human rights landscape. As of December 2025, the country had the largest death-row population in Sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 3,742 inmates awaiting execution, including over 82 women. Despite these figures, Nigeria has not carried out an execution in nearly a decade.

If the current trend continues, Nigeria will mark its tenth consecutive year without executions by December 2026—a significant milestone that could strengthen its standing as a de facto abolitionist state under international human rights standards.

Speaking after receiving the recognition, Uzoma-Iwuchukwu described the award as a reflection of the collective efforts of advocates working to promote justice and the right to life in Nigeria.

“Nigeria reaching 10 years without executions is a milestone we must protect. This award demonstrates that courageous advocacy can influence the direction of a nation. I accept it on behalf of all Nigerians striving for a justice system that respects the right to life.

“The next step is clear: we must work toward a formal legal moratorium on executions, reduce the scope of capital punishment, and build a broad national consensus that will ultimately lead to abolition. I am deeply grateful to our team, partners, and everyone who has supported this journey,” she said.

ASF France praised Uzoma-Iwuchukwu’s leadership and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting reforms aimed at strengthening access to justice and advancing human rights protections in Nigeria.

The organization has maintained a presence in Nigeria for several years, providing free legal services, training lawyers and judges, and advocating for compliance with international human rights standards.

The 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty brought together abolition advocates, legal experts, policymakers, and human rights defenders from more than 100 countries to review global progress and renew commitments toward ending capital punishment.

About Avocats Sans Frontières France

Avocats Sans Frontières France is an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting access to justice and strengthening the rule of law. In Nigeria, the organization works to ensure fair trial rights, combat torture and ill-treatment, support death penalty abolition initiatives, and promote press freedom and digital rights.