Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan Wins 2025 Founder’s Sunhak Peace Award

 

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has been named the winner of the 2025 Founder’s Sunhak Peace Award, an honor presented by the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation in Seoul, South Korea.

In a statement released on Monday, March 23, by his Special Adviser Ikechukwu Eze, it was confirmed that Jonathan becomes the third recipient of this prestigious award and the first African leader to win in this category. He follows former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as past recipients.

The official award ceremony will take place on Friday, April 11, 2025, in Seoul, where Dr. Jonathan and other distinguished laureates will be celebrated for their contributions to global peace and development.

The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee stated that Jonathan is being recognized for his consistent mediation efforts and pro-democracy initiatives that have helped foster peace across Africa. His leadership in organizations such as: Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF), West African Elders Forum (WAEF) and International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP) has been instrumental in promoting democratic values and conflict resolution on the continent.

The Sunhak Peace Prize is awarded biennially to individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to world peace and human development. The awards are divided into two categories: Founder’s Sunhak Peace Award – the category won by Goodluck Jonathan and Sunhak Peace Prize – awarded to outstanding figures in various global sectors.

Previous winners include: Macky Sall – Former President of Senegal, Akinwumi Adesina – President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dame Sarah Catherine Gilbert – Co-developer of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance

Jonathan will be honored alongside three other laureates recently announced by José Manuel Durão Barroso, Chair of the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee and former President of the European Commission. The additional awardees are: Patrick Awuah Jr. – Founder & President of Ashesi University, Ghana, Hugh Evans – Co-founder & CEO of Global Citizen and Wanjira Mathai – Regional Director for Africa at the World Resources Institute

The founder of the Sunhak Peace Prize, Hak Ja Han Moon, praised the laureates’ dedication to addressing global challenges through practical action.

“Over the past decade, the Sunhak Peace Prize has identified and honored individuals who have dedicated themselves to addressing urgent global challenges based on its three core values: respect for human rights, reconciliation of conflicts, and ecological conservation.”

With this latest recognition, Goodluck Jonathan continues to solidify his legacy as a global advocate for peace, democracy, and conflict resolution.