Jim Ovia, Dangote, Adesina, Wike Among DTN@100 Heroes Awards Winners
The Organising Council of the Daily Times Nigeria Centenary (DTN@100) Heroes Awards has announced winners in 29 award categories following the conclusion of a nationwide public voting process that attracted thousands of verified votes from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
The awards, a major highlight of the Daily Times centenary celebration, recognise individuals, institutions and organisations that have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s political, economic, social and corporate development through leadership, innovation and service.
Chairman of the DTN@100 Organising Council, Bolaji Okusaga, said the high level of public participation reflected Nigerians’ commitment to celebrating excellence, integrity and transformational leadership.
According to him, the awards were created not only to honour outstanding achievements but also to identify deserving individuals, organisations and states that will be featured in the Nigeria Grand Book (National Souvenir).
He noted that the awards continue Daily Times’ century-long tradition of documenting Nigeria’s history while celebrating those shaping the nation’s future.
Among the top recipients, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, received the Change Maker of the Century Award for his contributions to Nigeria’s financial services sector and national development.
Businesswoman and philanthropist Folorunsho Alakija was honoured with the Life and Legacy Award, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, received the Public Impact Person of the Decade Award.
Former President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, won the Global Impact Award, Aliko Dangote was named Business Icon of the Century, while Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji emerged Person of the Year.
In the political category, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma was named Governor of the Decade, while Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago won Governor of the Year. Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda received the Politician of the Year award.
At the National Assembly, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu emerged Lawmaker of the Year (House of Representatives), while Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada won the Lawmaker of the Year (Senate) award.
Among federal ministers, Festus Keyamo was recognised as Minister of the Decade, Nyesom Wike received the Impactful Minister of the Year award, while Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo emerged Transformative Minister of the Year.
Outstanding Governor awards across the six geopolitical zones went to Dauda Lawal (North West), Bala Mohammed (North East), Abdullahi Sule (North Central), Peter Mbah (South East), Umo Eno (South South) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (South West).
Traditional ruler, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was honoured with the Community Impact Award for his contributions to community development, cultural preservation and national unity.
In the corporate category, Green Energy International Limited was named Energy Company of the Decade, while Emadeb Energy Group received the Energy Company of the Year award. MTN Nigeria won the Digital Company of the Decade award.
The Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) was recognised as Transformative Project of the Year for its role in modernising Nigeria’s customs administration through the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, while the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) emerged Government Agency of the Year.
Other winners included Jane Egerton-Idehen of NigComSat, who received the Enterprise Award, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, who won Public Officer of the Year, and the National Council on Climate Change, which received the Climate Responsibility Award.
Meanwhile, the Organising Council announced that public voting has opened for three remaining categories—Financial Innovation Award, National Development Award and Sustainability Award.
Voting began on Thursday, July 30, 2026, and will close at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
Nominees for the Financial Innovation Award include OPay, Moniepoint, Paystack, PiggyVest, Flutterwave and VBank.
Those shortlisted for the National Development Award are Dr. Olasupo Olusi of the Bank of Industry, Dr. Tony Okpanachi of the Development Bank of Nigeria, Charles Odii of SMEDAN and Jennifer Adighije of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
The Sustainability Award features ACReSAL, Bank of Industry, Seplat Energy, Sahara Group, Unilever Nigeria and Sahara Holdings.
The Council also announced the close of nominations for the DTN@100 Trailblazer Award, with successful nominees advancing to a public voting stage. The ten candidates with the highest number of verified votes will be inducted as DTN@100 Trailblazers.
The DTN@100 Heroes Awards and Centenary Celebration will climax on September 3, 2026, at the THISDAY Dome, Abuja, where award recipients will be formally honoured and inducted into the Nigerian Book of Life, a commemorative publication recognising individuals and institutions that have made lasting contributions to Nigeria’s development over the past century.
