Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has been announced as the winner of the founder of the 2025 Sunhak Peace Award, presented by the Sunhak Peace Fastion Foundation in Seoul, South Korea.
His special adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, announced on Monday, March 23 that the former Nigerian leader became the third winner and the first African leader to win such a Sunhak award, followed by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and Kamba Bodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The 2025 awards ceremony is the sixth awards ceremony in the series and will be held in Seoul on Friday, April 11, 2025, with Dr. Jonathan and other winners receiving honors.
According to the Sunhak Peace Award Committee, Jonathan has been recognized by the Founder Award for his consistent mediation efforts and democratic initiatives aimed at promoting peace in Africa. The organizations he leads are particularly evident, including the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, the GJF, the West African Elders Forum, the WAEF and the International Peace Summit, the ISCP.
The founder’s Sunhak Peace Award and Sunhak Peace Award are two categories of awards presented by the Commission’s Biennials, which are individuals and organizations recognized for their contributions to world peace and human development.
Past winners of the second category include former Senegalese President Macky Sall; Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank; Mrs. Sarah Catherine Gilbert, co-developer of the Oxford University vaccine; and Vaccine Alliance Gavi.
Jonathan will be awarded with the three recently announced by José Manuel Durão Barroso, chairman of the Sunhak Peace Awards Committee and former European Commission President, for the winners of other categories.
Winners include Patrick Awuah Jr., founder and president of Ashesey University in Ghana; Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizens; and Wanjira Mathai, director of Africa at the World Resources Institute.
Hak Ja Han Moon, founder of the Sunhak Peace Award, said in her pre-remarks that the life of the winners is an inspiring testament to the achievement of peace through concrete actions and cultural transformation.
“Over the past decade, the Sanhak Peace Prize has identified and respected individuals who are committed to addressing global challenges in accordance with their three core values: respect for human rights, conflict and ecological protection,” she said.
