Post by Culture, The Arts, Entertainment (@culturepower)

Trailblazing Nigerian conservationist Rachel Ikemeh is a Laureate of the 2026 Rolex Awards. By involving and equipping communities in the Niger Delta, she is transforming conservation in one of Africa’s most threatened ecosystems, protecting thousands of hectares of forest and threatened species, while improving the livelihoods of local people.

Rachel Ikemeh is one of only five people in the world to receive the honour this year, and the only Nigerian among them. All five 2026 Laureates are women, hailing from Indonesia, Nigeria, Peru, China, and the United States, as Rolex marks the 50th anniversary of its Awards programme.

"“When I started out 21 years ago, girls were not doing what I was doing. In fact, Nigerians weren’t doing what I was doing. But something has changed. One of my team members asked a young boy from the community what he wanted to be when he grew up. He pointed at me. That still brings me to tears.” she said.

Congratulations Rachel Ikemeh! 💚🤍💚

#NaijaPride #RachelIkemeh #Nature #RolexAwards

https://youtu.be/LPvCGaf7YXc?si=5ybWAHTJ5z9ITBef

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