Maryam Bukar Hassan, born on 25 December 1996, is a Nigerian poet, spoken word artist, storytelling consultant, social entrepreneur, digital content creator, and the first Global Advocate for Peace and Security appointed by the United Nations. She built a reputation as a creative force who merges poetry with diplomacy, activism, and youth advocacy. Through her work, she advances conversations around peacebuilding, maternal health, social justice, and inclusive development.
She advocates strongly for United Nations peacekeeping efforts and serves as a campaign coordinator at Change.org in Nigeria. She also acts as a Goalkeeper under the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she amplifies development goals and policy awareness. She consistently uses storytelling as a tool to drive measurable social impact.
Growing up in northern Nigeria, particularly in Borno State, exposed her to conflict-related realities that shaped her dedication to peace and humanitarian advocacy. She channels those lived experiences into performances that inspire dialogue and institutional action.
Maryam Bukar Hassan Education and Early Career
Maryam Bukar Hassan is an indigene of Biu in Borno State, Nigeria. She is the only daughter of Hauwa Maina, a respected Nigerian actress whose creative influence shaped Maryam’s early exposure to the arts. She completed her secondary education at Uncle Bado Memorial College in Kaduna State.
She later pursued higher education in Ghana at Radford University College, an affiliate of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where she studied Information Technology. During her academic years, she actively developed her craft in poetry and digital communication, blending technical knowledge with creative advocacy.
She began performing at youth forums, policy conferences, and cultural festivals, positioning herself as a socially conscious spoken word artist. She deliberately framed poetry as a civic engagement tool, ensuring that her creative work aligned with development conversations.
Maryam Bukar Hassan Major Life Events
Maryam’s public advocacy for peacekeeping and youth inclusion marked a defining turning point in her career. She used her voice to address maternal mortality, violent extremism, gender inequality, and global cooperation.
Her performances at high-profile platforms expanded her influence significantly. She performed at the Aké Arts and Book Festival, the Kaduna Book and Arts Festival, and the Harmony for Humanity concert organized by the United States Embassy in honor of Daniel Pearl. She delivered spoken word pieces at Sustainable Development Goals conferences, the African Governance Architecture Conference, the 75th Anniversary of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, and the African Union’s 8th High-Level Dialogue Conference in Kampala, Uganda. She also participated in Global Citizen Live, amplifying African youth voices on an international stage.
In 2025, the United Nations designated her as its first Global Advocate for Peace and Security, a historic appointment that elevated her from creative activist to institutional representative. Through this role, she champions the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas across global platforms.
In 2026, she participated in the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, symbolizing peace and unity through her presence at a globally televised event that celebrates international cooperation.
Maryam Bukar Hassan Professional Achievements
Maryam Bukar Hassan builds her career at the intersection of creativity and policy. She founded the True My Voice community, a mentorship platform where she coaches young poets and digital advocates to strengthen their storytelling and civic engagement skills. Through this initiative, she empowers a new generation of African youth to use digital tools responsibly and strategically.
As a campaign coordinator at Change.org Nigeria, she mobilizes public opinion and advocates for reform through digital petitions and civic engagement campaigns. As a Gates Foundation Goalkeeper, she supports the promotion of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas related to health equity and gender empowerment.
She continues to perform at diplomatic, governmental, and international forums, translating complex policy frameworks into accessible narratives. She leverages her digital platforms to influence public discourse and strengthen youth participation in governance conversations.
In the creative industry, she released two spoken word albums titled In the Heart of Silence in 2017 and Layers in 2021. Through these albums, she addresses themes of identity, justice, resilience, and social reform. She also featured on Davido’s album 5ive, where she rendered a poem on the intro track “Five by Alhanislam,” further expanding her artistic reach into mainstream music.
Maryam’s work has earned national and continental recognition. She received the Leadership Awards Artiste of the Year in 2021. The Royal African Young Leadership Forum, under the Ooni of Ife, honored her for her influence and advocacy in the same year. She won the Tozali Awards Best Creative Artiste of the Year in 2022.
In 2025, Reputable Poll International recognized her as one of the 100 Most Reputable Africans, affirming her growing impact across the continent.
Maryam Bukar Hassan Personal Life
Maryam maintains strong cultural ties to her roots in Borno State while operating within global institutions. She honors the creative legacy of her mother, Hauwa Maina, and draws strength from her northern Nigerian heritage. She integrates faith, discipline, and intentional leadership into her personal and professional life.
She balances creative expression with structured advocacy, ensuring that her artistic identity consistently aligns with institutional engagement and measurable outcomes.
Maryam Bukar Hassan Legacy and Impact
Maryam Bukar Hassan redefines the role of poetry in modern governance and diplomacy. She elevates spoken word from performance art to policy influence. She demonstrates that young African women can occupy global leadership spaces while maintaining cultural authenticity and social responsibility.
Her leadership strengthens youth inclusion in global peace and security frameworks and amplifies African representation in multilateral spaces. Through storytelling, she reshapes narratives about conflict, resilience, and African potential.
Conclusion
Maryam Bukar Hassan’s life reflects courage, strategy, and purposeful creativity. She transforms lived experience into global advocacy and converts artistic talent into institutional influence. From Biu in Borno State to the halls of the United Nations and international stages such as the 2026 Winter Olympics, she proves that storytelling can influence diplomacy, inspire reform, and shape the future of global peacebuilding.
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