In a historic moment for Nigeria and the Olympic movement, poet and United Nations Global Advocate for Peace Maryam Bukar Hassan became the first Nigerian ever to carry the Olympic flag during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Held on February 6 at Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium, the ceremony brought together a global cast of personalities chosen not for athletic competition, but for their contributions to peace, humanitarianism, and culture. Dubbed the “Flag Bearers of Peace” by the organisers, the group included marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade, and Tongan humanitarian Pita Taufatofua, among others.
The Olympic flag—a white banner emblazoned with five interlocking rings representing the unity of the world’s continents—is traditionally carried by figures who embody the Games’ ideals of harmony and solidarity. Hassan’s selection highlighted Nigeria’s growing presence on the international stage beyond sports.
Reflecting on her role in the ceremony, Hassan shared on Instagram, “Carrying that flag ultimately reminded me that peace is not an event; it is a practice. A daily decision to humanise before politicising, to listen before labelling, and to create spaces through sport, art, education, or policy where dignity is non-negotiable.”
She continued, “And most importantly: none of us carries peace alone. We carry it collectively through conversations, friendships, collaborations, and simple gestures that remind us we belong to one another. The Olympics gave us the moment. The real work is continuing it long after the stadium lights fade.”
Also known in literary circles as Alhanislam, Hassan was appointed the UN’s Global Advocate for Peace in 2025, following years of using her spoken word poetry to champion inclusion, dialogue, and social change. While she did not compete in any events at the Games, her presence at the ceremony placed a Nigerian voice at one of the Olympics’ most symbolic moments, reinforcing the organisers’ theme of shared humanity.
Despite the sprawling festivities, organisers emphasised that the ceremony’s core rituals—the Parade of Nations and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron—remained central. They also noted that some qualification events would begin before the official opening for logistical reasons, but insisted this would not diminish the ceremony’s symbolic role as the formal commencement of the Games.
Hassan’s participation underscores a broader vision for the Olympics, one where the power of culture, dialogue, and humanitarian leadership complements athletic excellence, leaving a lasting impression long after the snow settles on the slopes of Cortina.