Founder of the Female Advocacy, Mentoring & Empowerment (FAME) Foundation, Aderonke Atoyebi has been named the role model of the year at the 2025 International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) Awards held in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Atoyebi received the citizens’ choice role model award for her pioneering work in using sport to empower girls, young women, and marginalised communities in Nigeria.
The biennial ISCA awards recognise individuals and organisations that harness sport and physical activity to promote social change and community development around the world.
This year’s edition drew nominations from several countries, honouring figures who have turned sport into a tool for transformation.
According to ISCA, Atoyebi, who founded FAME in 2017, ‘is a trailblazer using sport to drive change in Nigeria’.
The association said her organisation runs skills acquisition centres aimed at poverty alleviation and self-sufficiency, alongside outreach programmes on menstrual health and hygiene, while also advocating for greater participation of women in society.
‘Her groundbreaking work is a powerful example of how sport can transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable populations’, ISCA said in its announcement.
‘Under her leadership, FAME has created safe spaces for girls, young women, and marginalised people, offering opportunities for empowerment, mentorship, and personal growth.
‘Her approach offers a catalyst for social change, challenging gender norms and promoting inclusion in locations where many face significant barriers’.
Speaking after receiving the award, Atoyebi expressed gratitude to her team and supporters, describing the honour as a validation of years of consistent advocacy.
‘This award means a lot to me. It’s a testament to the hard work my team and I have put in over the years’, she said.
‘Being recognised on such an international stage proves that no effort toward positive change ever goes unnoticed. It motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and reaching more girls who need hope and opportunity’.
Atoyebi received a €3,000 cash prize and international recognition associated with the honour.
