Bomba Dauda
The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in Ireland has appointed Joyce Mathias, a Kafanchan-born community advocate and political figure, as a Peace Commissioner, a position of trust reserved for individuals of integrity and service.
Mathias, who has lived in Ireland for 23 years, has built an impressive academic and professional profile. She is a postgraduate alumna of the University of Galway, where she earned an MSc in Strategy, Innovation and People Management. She also holds an Honours degree from the Atlantic Technological University, Galway, along with diplomas in Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, and Human Rights Law. In addition, she completed political leadership training with See Her Elected and the Women for Election School.
A retailer and freelance language translator, Mathias is widely recognised for her expertise in marketing and sales, as well as her passion for humanitarian service and social justice advocacy. Her values and empathy for people drew her to Ireland’s Green Party, under which she contested the Galway City East councilor seat in the 2024 general election.
Her foray into Irish politics, despite having no political background in Nigeria, has been described as bold, courageous, and inspiring. Those familiar with her journey say her ambition is powered by resilience, grit and exceptional focus.
“I’m people-focused and dedicated, with a high sense of duty. I leave a positive energy mark anywhere I go. I’m a natural leader whose optimism, determination, resilience, and can-do attitude is infectious,” Mathias said.
Born and raised in Kafanchan, a cosmopolitan railway town in Southern Kaduna, Mathias grew up in a conservative, agrarian community during a period when opportunities for the girl-child were limited, particularly in northern Nigeria of the 1970s and 1980s. Despite the cultural constraints and economic hardship, she remained steadfast in pursuing her dreams.
The last of five children, she grew up in a humble family. Her late father was a railway worker, and her mother a local food vendor at the Kafanchan train station. As a young girl, she walked several kilometres to school daily for 11 years, determined to acquire an education. She also developed early entrepreneurial skills by assisting her mother at the train station, skills that would later become essential in her adult life as a single mother of three.
Her ability to improvise and adapt became one of her strongest assets, helping her overcome numerous obstacles and eventually placing her on a path of global relevance.
Mathias’ politics is grounded in justice, empathy and empowerment. She is the founder of A Million Voices, an advocacy initiative dedicated to speaking for the voiceless and supporting society’s neglected groups.
During a visit to Nigeria, her first in 30 years, she returned to her alma mater, Government Secondary School, Kafanchan, where she engaged students in a motivational session. She shared her life story and encouraged the students to embrace hard work, perseverance and resilience.
In the same visit, she extended support to inmates at the Kafanchan Prison, providing relief items and speaking to them about rehabilitation, personal transformation and living crime-free lives after incarceration.
“I stand for social justice and inclusiveness. I desire a better world,” she said. “One of my passions is contributing in diverse ways to the advancement of society and humanity.”
With her appointment as Peace Commissioner, Mathias adds another milestone to her inspiring journey, one marked by determination, service, and an unwavering commitment to lifting others.
Her story continues to resonate not only in Ireland but also in her town of birth, Kafanchan, where many regard her as a symbol of hope and possibility.
