In a proud moment for Nigeria and the African development community, Ijeoma Seraphie Obiedelu, a rising voice in global development, delivered the 2025 Commencement Speech for the Master of Professional Studies in Global Development at Cornell University, one of the world’s most prestigious Ivy League institutions. Obiedelu made history as the student selected to represent her cohort at graduation, captivating her audience with a compelling address she titled “Sometimes, silence becomes the soil.” Her Speech explored themes of resilience, equity, and purpose, grounded in her journey from Nigeria to the global stage:
“To stand here today, cloaked in my traditional Nigerian attire and reflecting on what this moment means to us is more than a personal achievement. It is a moment of resurrection. A moment of dreams and of purpose. Like many of you, I didn’t arrive here without detours. I arrived by grace, grit, and the kindness of strangers turned family,” she shared while reflecting on her transition from early personal loss and setbacks to leading in classroom and community conversations on the future of innovation power. Her powerful message drew applause that resonated far beyond Cornell’s campus, sparking conversations on how African students are redefining global development from the inside out.
Bridging Global Knowledge with Local Action
Obiedelu’s speech also challenged traditional models of development, drawing inspiration from how Cornell catalyzed growth in the small town of Ithaca, New York, and the possibility for African-led solutions from its global diaspora to transform lives in Abuja, Accra, Kinshasa, and beyond. “Here, academic rigor meets real-world engagement,” she said, urging fellow graduates and global stakeholders to center community-driven, gender-inclusive, and context-specific approaches when tackling African and global development challenges.
Championing Women’s Safety and Mobility Globally
Ijeoma’s capstone project at Cornell proposed a mobility ride-sharing startup designed for women in Nigeria. Her proposed solution will offer safe transport services by and for women, while creating job opportunities in driving, repair, and customer service. This innovation earned her the 2025 RANA Prize, an esteemed international award recognizing visionary leaders in global development. The selection committee praised Obiedelu as “a thinker and doer who brings brilliance, compassion, and clarity to the future of inclusive growth.” Her work is already showing potential for global impact. Recently, Uber introduced a new feature called “Women Preferences” that allows female riders and drivers to choose to be matched with each other. This feature, according to Uber, is aimed at enhancing safety and security for women using the ride-sharing platform. The feature is available as an option when requesting a ride, or women drivers can choose to only receive requests from female riders.
A Proud Nigerian and Global Citizen
Beyond academia and entrepreneurship, Obiedelu is the founder of Forward Falls Initiative, a nonprofit that provides preparatory education and scholarships to underserved Nigerian youth. Through her work, she exemplifies the transformative power of youth leadership rooted in service and driven by vision. As she works on starting her mobility venture and deepening her development practice, Ijeoma Seraphie Obiedelu stands as a beacon of what Nigerian excellence can offer the world – bold, brilliant, and globally relevant. According to the African Diaspora Network (ADN), Nigeria is a powerful case point for how educational strength translates into economic power, civil leadership, and transformative impact. Nigerians are one of the most educated immigrant groups in the United States. Her name, “Ijeoma”, meaning “a good and fruitful journey” in the Igbo language, could not be more befitting. From Nigeria to Cornell and back again, Ijeoma’s journey is good and game-changing.