In a remarkable milestone that celebrates both academic excellence and transformational leadership, renowned Cameroonian peacebuilder, humanitarian, entrepreneur, women’s rights advocate, and Member of the Grand Sawa Forum Technical Secretariat, Dr. Esther Omam, has within the space of one month attained two prestigious international distinctions recognizing her lifelong commitment to peacebuilding, diplomacy, leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
Following the successful completion of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Diplomacy and Conflict Management from Selinus University of Sciences and Literature, Dr. Omam has now been awarded an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in Leadership and International Business Management by Universal Blockchain University, Florida, USA, in recognition of her exceptional leadership, management excellence, and enduring contribution to peacebuilding, women’s empowerment, youth development, entrepreneurship, and community transformation.
The honorary doctorate was conferred during the SDG Summit Cameroon 2026 in the presence of national authorities and distinguished guests, under the representation of Professor Yota Louis Fomba on behalf of Universal Blockchain University, alongside representatives of the Governor’s Office of the Littoral Region, the Senior Divisional Officer for Wouri, and the Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts.
These two distinctions complement one another in a unique and inspiring way.
While the PhD recognises Dr. Omam’s academic contribution to diplomacy, conflict resolution, and peace studies, the Honorary Doctorate celebrates the practical impact of nearly three decades of visionary leadership, institution building, humanitarian action, mediation, women’s leadership, and enterprise development that have transformed countless lives across Cameroon and beyond.
Her doctoral thesis, entitled “The Indispensable Role of Women in Conflict Resolution: The Case of Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis,” examined the critical role women play in promoting inclusive and sustainable peace. The research analysed women’s participation in peace processes, identified barriers to their effective engagement, and proposed practical recommendations for policymakers, lawmakers, security institutions, and development partners. It makes an important contribution to the global discourse on Women, Peace and Security, diplomacy, mediation, and conflict transformation.
The Honorary Doctorate in Leadership and International Business Management further acknowledges Dr. Omam’s exceptional ability to translate vision into action by strengthening institutions, mentoring emerging leaders, empowering women and young entrepreneurs, promoting innovation, and advancing enterprise as a pathway to sustainable development, peace, and economic resilience.
Throughout her career, Dr. Omam has led innovative initiatives that have directly and indirectly impacted millions of people through humanitarian assistance, health interventions, mediation, women’s leadership, governance, entrepreneurship, livelihood support, peacebuilding, and community development.
Speaking after receiving the honorary doctorate, Dr. Omam said:
“I receive these honours with profound gratitude and humility. The earned PhD represents years of research, sacrifice, and scholarship, while the Honorary Doctorate reflects the confidence that others have placed in my leadership and service. I dedicate both recognitions to the courageous women, young people, humanitarian workers, entrepreneurs, and peacebuilders who continue to transform adversity into hope every day. Leadership is meaningful only when it inspires others to rise, serve, innovate, and build.”
She further challenged leaders to invest in people rather than dependency.
“Africa’s greatest resource is not beneath our soil but within our people. We must move from dependence to enterprise, from waiting for opportunities to creating them, and from individual success to collective prosperity.”
For nearly three decades, Dr. Esther Omam has remained one of Cameroon’s leading voices in peacebuilding, humanitarian action, women’s leadership, mediation, governance, and social entrepreneurship. Through Reach Out Cameroon and numerous national, continental, and international platforms, she has championed dialogue, social cohesion, women’s economic empowerment, protection of vulnerable populations, and inclusive development.
These recognitions reaffirm her unwavering commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and strengthening ethical leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable peace.
ABOUT DR. ESTHER OMAM
Dr. Esther Omam is a peacebuilder, mediator, humanitarian leader, researcher, entrepreneur, and development practitioner with nearly three decades of experience promoting peace, humanitarian action, inclusive governance, women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and community resilience.
She currently serves as:
– Executive Director, Reach Out Cameroon
– Managing Director, Kites & Others
– Global Peace Champion
– Civil Society Board Member, UN Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF)
– Country Chair, G100 Mentoring & Motivation Wing – Cameroon
– Vice Chair, Continental Network of Women Business Associations in Africa (CONWOBAA)
– Special Rapporteur, National Women’s Convention for Peace
– Vision Bearer, South West North West Women Task Force (SNWOT)
– Founder & Technical Adviser, Community Women Peace Mediators (COWOPEM)
– Member, Technical Secretariat of the Great Sawa King’s Association
– Member of several regional and international peacebuilding and mediation networks.
MEDIA CONTACT
Dr. Esther Omam
Executive Director, Reach Out Cameroon
Managing Director, Kites & Others
Global Peace Champion
Buea, Cameroon
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Knowledge gives us the capacity to lead. Service gives leadership its purpose. Together, they become a force that transforms lives, communities, and nations.”
Dr. Esther Omam
