Youth Development Advocate, Glory Ukwenga Earns PhD in Conflict, Peace Studies

Youth development advocate and Founder of Africana League, Glory Nneka Ukwenga, has earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Conflict, Peace and Strategic Studies from Nile University of Nigeria.

Ukwenga was awarded the doctorate on July 24, 2026, after successfully defending her thesis titled “Civil-Military Relations and the Challenges of Democratic Governance in West Africa: A Comparative Study of Nigeria and Mali (2019–2026),” marking a major milestone in her academic and advocacy career.

The new doctorate adds to an impressive academic profile that includes a Master of Science in Political Science with specialization in International Relations, obtained with distinction from the University of Ibadan, and a Bachelor of Science in Politics and International Relations, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lead City University, Ibadan. She also holds diplomas in Public Relations and French, as well as the DELF B1 certification from the French Republic.

Her doctoral research focuses on civil-military relations and democratic governance in West Africa, reflecting her longstanding commitment to promoting good governance, peacebuilding and youth inclusion across the continent.

Since founding Africana League in 2017, Ukwenga has led initiatives aimed at increasing youth participation in politics and governance. Under her leadership, the organization launched Nigeria Actizens Parliament—formerly known as Nigeria House of Commons—a political reality television programme designed to educate young Nigerians on legislative processes and encourage civic engagement.

The initiative has attracted thousands of online followers and has been rebranded for its second season, which features a ₦15 million prize package to support political participation and community development projects.

In recognition of her contributions to youth and women’s leadership, Ukwenga was named among ShePremium’s Top 50 Emerging Visible African Women in 2025.

Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, she said the platform was created to bridge the gap between young Nigerians and governance, noting that the first season demonstrated that young people are willing to contribute meaningfully when given the opportunity.

Beyond her advocacy work, Ukwenga is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the West Africa Political Science Association (WAPSA). She has authored several scholarly publications on political participation, women’s mobilization, federalism, security sector governance and related issues.

With the attainment of her PhD, Ukwenga is expected to further strengthen her contributions to youth leadership development, democratic governance and policy research across Africa.