A Nigerian Catholic sister, Francisca Ngozi Uti, has been announced as the 2024 Opus Prize laureate with a prize award of $1 million.

Ms Uti was recognised for her humanitarian work as the founder and executive director of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention in Abuja during the award ceremony at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit university in Silicon Valley.

The Opus Prize is a prestigious award that recognises unsung heroes worldwide and acknowledges their selfless efforts to address pressing social needs.

“Did I ever imagine being nominated as the laureate? Honestly, no. Words seem inadequate to capture the depth of my joy,” said Ms Uti. “My heart overflows with gratitude.”

She added, “I never dreamed that the work my team and I have been doing in these remote communities would gain recognition not only within our state but beyond our nation’s borders, crossing the Atlantic and reaching as far as the United States of America.”

The Opus Prize award, which totals $1.2 million, was distributed among three honorees, with Ms Uti receiving $1 million and the two other finalists (Father Zachariah Presutti of Thrive for Life Prison Project and Bianca and Cătalin Albu of Jesuit Refugee Service-Romania) each receiving $100,000.

The CWSI is a centre that focuses on addressing issues of marginalisation, oppression and violence against women and girls in all forms, especially by culture and poverty, while also advocating for policies to combat gender-based violence.

The organisation has significantly impacted Nigeria, helping over one million beneficiaries through more than 100 projects.