Maryam Bukar Hassan, a Nigerian poet and United Nations Global Advocate for Peace, has made history as the first Nigerian to carry the Olympic flag at the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
The Olympic flag, a white banner bearing the five interlocking rings, is traditionally carried by distinguished global figures selected to represent the ideals of peace, unity, and shared humanity rather than by competing athletes.
“Flag Bearers of Peace”
Maryam was selected by the International Olympic Committee as part of a special group known as the “Flag Bearers of Peace.”
She shared the honour with internationally recognised figures including:
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Eliud Kipchoge, the world-renowned marathon champion
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Rebeca Andrade, Olympic gold medallist
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Pita Taufatofua, athlete and humanitarian
The ceremony took place at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan on February 6, where Maryam walked into the arena as a symbolic ambassador of peace.
“Peace is a Practice”
Reflecting on the moment, Maryam described the significance of carrying the flag beyond the symbolism.
“Carrying the flag ultimately meant recognising that peace is not an event, but it is practice. It is a daily decision for us to humanise before politicising.”
She added:
“I had goosebumps. The moment they called my name… you could feel the energy, the love, the adrenaline. It was such a beautiful moment.”
From Spoken Word to Global Stage
Known in literary circles as Alhanislam, Maryam has built her reputation through spoken word performances focused on education for girls, peaceful coexistence, and social justice.
In 2025, she was appointed United Nations Global Advocate for Peace, a role recognising her advocacy efforts in peace-building and security initiatives.
Although her participation at the Winter Games was ceremonial and not athletic, her appearance underscored Nigeria’s cultural presence on the international stage and reinforced the Olympic movement’s emphasis on unity, diplomacy, and shared global values.
Her historic moment marks a milestone not only for Nigerian creatives but also for youth voices advocating peace through art and storytelling.
