With the award, Obiedelu will first conduct field research to refine the business model. Then, in the coming year, she will pursue development of the mobile application, female driver training sessions, and stakeholder workshops.
Recognizing that women around the world face barriers related to safety in public transportation, Obiedelu sees potential to scale mobility models, especially throughout Africa and Southeast Asia.
Obiedelu, who is also an Einaudi Director's Fellow with the Institute for African Development, originally came to Cornell to explore the intersections of conflict and climate adaptation, and also education and poverty reduction in Africa.
“My time at Cornell has provided me with a diverse and supportive academic community that fosters critical thinking and innovation,” Obiedelu said.
“One unexpected realization during my time here is the immense power of collaboration—working with peers and mentors from different backgrounds has deepened my perspective and shown me that the most sustainable solutions often emerge from collective effort.”
Prior to Cornell, Obiedelu dreamed of pursuing a graduate education that could complement her wealth of experience in the field. Growing up around cyclical conflict in Nigeria, she knew she wanted to contribute to innovative peacebuilding strategies, especially in education and gender inclusion. With this goal in mind, she became a United Nations Development Programme Nigeria Jubilee Fellow, working with Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, an NGO where she worked on climate security projects in Northwestern Nigeria aimed at combating food shortages, conflict, and insecurity induced by the impacts of climate change. Now, as Founder and Program Lead of the Forward Falls Initiative, she continues to advocate for access to quality education for disadvantaged students in conflict-affected communities across Nigeria.
“Receiving the RANA Prize is a profound honor and a validation of my vision of empowering women in Nigeria through innovative and practical solutions,” Obiedelu said. “This award underscores the value of gender-focused initiatives in global development, and it motivates me to pursue this project with even greater commitment and purpose. Being chosen for this prize is a reminder that impactful change starts with a bold idea and a dedication to serve others.”
Kelly Merchan is a communications specialist in the Department of Global Development.
