Anita Okunde is the first Black woman to be Oxford Union President. At just 20 years old, she is an acclaimed activist, I Will Ambassador, and public speaker, with a focus on intersectional climate justice and feminism, according to her bio by Centre For Young Lives.
Currently, Okunde is studying philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE) at Oxford University. She shared her excitement on X about being elected to such a prestigious office in what she described as “the most elite” institute, stating, “President-elect and a proud state school president built, not bought, a dying breed! It has been an honor, and I cannot wait to serve as your president. All the glory be to God honestly, John 15:7.”
Before the election, she shared her vision for the Union with Cherwell, indicating her intent to address the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles and on term cards while providing adequate provisions for individuals with disabilities and other protected characteristics.
She said, “I believe that strengthening the Union’s financial position is essential to funding initiatives that would open the doors to a more diverse range of students and make them feel truly welcome. In the past, I’ve organised women-focused events, such as professional headshot sessions and social gatherings. While these have been impactful, with additional resources we could dramatically improve the scale and quality of these initiatives.”
She further elaborated on her personal connection to the Oxford Union, noting, “My dad, who didn’t finish secondary school, uses the Oxford Union debates to understand English and the British accent. So, having my paper speech be part of that has always been something that I take quite a lot of personal pride in.”
In the election, Okunde triumphed, securing the position of union president for Trinity Term 2024 with 564 first preferences, winning by a narrow margin of 44 votes against her opponent, Siddhant Nagrath.
The Nigerian-born visionary has been recognized as one of the top 100 environmentalists by Forbes for her dedication to empowering young people, particularly students, and for her role as the youth commissioner for the Well-being of Future Generations Bill advancing through Parliament.
Her leadership experience includes a 20-month role as treasurer of the Oxford Union and a five-month stint as the director of media. Between December 2023 and April 2024, she served as the socioeconomic officer and was also an elected member of the Secretary’s committee for seven months.
