Anita Okunde has been elected as the first Black president of the Oxford Union for Michaelmas Term 2024. At just 19 years old, Okunde’s achievement represents a landmark in the 200-year-old institution’s evolving narrative towards greater inclusivity.
Originally from Rochdale, UK, Okunde is a second-year Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) student at Oxford’s Christ Church College. She has a distinguished background in youth activism, notably winning the UK Youth Parliament’s national award for best debate in 2020. Her advocacy focuses on youth engagement and representation in decision-making processes.
Her campaign was marked by calls for transparency, inclusivity, and a rejuvenation of the Union’s traditional structures to better reflect modern societal values. Okunde’s victory is seen not only as a personal triumph but also as a symbol of progress for underrepresented communities within Oxford.
Her election follows recent controversies surrounding the Union’s disciplinary processes, which have been criticized for disproportionately affecting candidates from diverse backgrounds. This context heightens the significance of Okunde’s win, as she steps into leadership amid ongoing conversations about diversity, equity, and reform within the Union.
