In this special edition of the Ranks Africa Spotlight Series, we turn the spotlight on the phenomenal Maryam Bukar Hassan — a trailblazing voice, cultural force, and inspiring changemaker whose words and work continue to uplift, educate, and empower audiences across Africa and beyond.
In an age where the world is constantly grappling with conflict, division, and the deafening silence around injustice, Maryam Bukar Hassan — affectionately known as Alhanislam — stands out as a beacon of hope and transformation. More than a poet, she is a bridge between cultures, a voice for the voiceless, and a movement in motion.
Her artistry is deeply rooted in purpose. From captivating the world with her unforgettable spoken word piece on Davido’s “5IVE” album to her latest global impact as the United Nations’ first Global Advocate for Peace, Alhanislam continues to prove that words can indeed change the world.
She leads with poise, speaks with conviction, and carries the dreams of millions of young Africans who see her as a hero — not just for her talent, but for the dignity, clarity, and courage with which she steps into leadership. In a time when influence is often loud but shallow, Alhanislam’s power lies in depth and authenticity.
She doesn’t just represent a generation — she inspires it.
This daughter of Northern Nigeria has made history as the United Nations’ first-ever Global Advocate for Peace, a role that represents not just an honor, but a global responsibility. With spoken word as her sword and storytelling as her shield, she stands at the frontlines of a new kind of diplomacy — one rooted in creativity, inclusion, and truth.
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Her debut in this global role took place at New York’s iconic SummerStage Festival in Central Park, where she performed her powerful piece, “Peace is a Verb,” before an audience of thousands. Her words stirred not just applause, but deep reflection — redefining peace not as silence or standoff, but as something active, intentional, and deeply human.
Over the next two years, Maryam will lead global outreach campaigns focused on the Women, Peace & Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace & Security (YPS) agendas. From digital storytelling to grassroots advocacy, she will amplify underrepresented voices, champion creative activism, and ignite new narratives of peace that are bold, inclusive, and led by the next generation.
Her platform is more than poetry. Through her initiative True My Voice, she has trained over 5,000 young Africans to use storytelling for social change. She has become a cultural architect — using words to build what politics sometimes can’t: connection, empathy, and shared vision.
Her work has earned her global recognition:
- Honored with the Sustainable Africa Award at COP28
- Finalist, UN SDG Creativity Award 2024
- Named one of the 100 Most Reputable Africans of 2025
- Featured at the World Bank Youth Summit, TEDx, and UN SDG events
In her poem Peace is a Verb, Maryam writes:
“Peace is not found; it is built. Brick by brutal brick, with hands that once knew how to fight but now choose to hold instead.”
It is in this spirit that she leads — not with bureaucracy, but with belief. Not with protocols, but with poetry.
Ranks Africa recognizes Maryam Bukar Hassan as one of the continent’s most influential cultural diplomats — using her art to shift mindsets, restore hope, and lead peace beyond the politics.
In her hands, poetry becomes policy. Art becomes action. Words become weapons of peace.
This is not just a title. This is a turning point. And for Maryam, the mission has only just begun.
