Mrs. Funke Adeoye, Founder and Executive Director of Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA)
The International Bar Association’s 2025 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award has spotlighted the power of law to drive social change, recognising Mrs Funke Adeoye, Founder and Executive Director of Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA).
Announcing the award on Friday in Abuja, HBBA Communications Officer Ms Ogechi Ogwuma said Adeoye was selected from a global pool of nominees for her work in access to justice, human rights, and legal technology. Supported by LexisNexis, the award honours lawyers under 35 who demonstrate professional excellence, ethical standards, and a commitment to serving humanity.
Through HBBA, which she founded at the age of 26, Adeoye has led initiatives that provide legal aid to individuals who are wrongfully incarcerated, promote criminal justice reform, and advance civic engagement. Her work has strengthened rehabilitation efforts and made justice more inclusive and accessible.
Reacting to the accolade, Adeoye dedicated it to young African lawyers and human rights defenders. “This recognition is not just about me. It represents every young lawyer who believes that, despite the challenges we face, the law remains a tool for transformation,” she said.
Adeoye, called to the Nigerian Bar in 2013, holds an LLB from the University of Benin and a Master’s in International Human Rights Law from Oxford. HBBA continues to innovate, including its “Connect Lawyer” app that links lawyers with those in need of legal assistance.
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