DTN@100 Heroes Awards: Ovia, Dangote, Adesina, Alakija, Others Emerge Winners Across 29 Categories
The Organising Council of the Daily Times Nigeria Centenary (DTN@100) Heroes Awards has unveiled winners across 29 categories, following a nationwide public voting exercise that drew thousands of verified votes from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
The awards, a flagship initiative of the Daily Times centenary celebration, honour individuals, institutions, and organisations whose leadership, innovation, and sustained contributions have significantly shaped Nigeria’s political, economic, and social landscape.
Chairman of the DTN@100 Organising Council, Bolaji Okusaga, described the scale of participation as a strong indication of Nigerians’ appetite to celebrate excellence, integrity, and transformational leadership.
He noted that the awards go beyond recognition, serving as a pipeline for profiling exceptional Nigerians and institutions in the forthcoming Nigeria Grand Book (National Souvenir).
Among the top honourees, Jim Ovia, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, clinched the Change Maker of the Century Award for his impact on Nigeria’s financial services sector. Folorunsho Alakija received the Life and Legacy Award for her contributions to entrepreneurship and philanthropy.
Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was named Public Impact Person of the Decade, while former African Development Bank President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, earned the Global Impact Award. Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, was honoured as Business Icon of the Century, and Adaora Umeoji emerged Person of the Year.
In governance, 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 was recognised as Politician of the Year.
At the National Assembly level, Benjamin Kalu emerged Lawmaker of the Year (House of Representatives), while Senator Ahmed Wadada clinched the Senate category.
In the federal cabinet, Festus Keyamo was named Minister of the Decade, Nyesom Wike won Impactful Minister of the Year, and Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo received Transformative Minister of the Year.
Outstanding Governors across the six geopolitical zones included 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 leadership recognition went to the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who received the Community Impact Award.
In the corporate category, Green Energy International Limited was named Energy Company of the Decade, while Emadeb Energy Group emerged Energy Company of the Year. MTN Nigeria secured the Digital Company of the Decade award.
The Transformative Project of the Year went to the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) for its B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, while the Nigerian Revenue Service was recognised as Government Agency of the Year.
Other notable winners included Jane Egerton-Idehen (Enterprise Award), Bashir Adeniyi (Public Officer of the Year), and the National Council on Climate Change (Climate Responsibility Award).
Meanwhile, voting remains open for three categories—Financial Innovation Award, National Development Award, and Sustainability Award—with polls closing on August 5, 2026.
The ceremony will culminate in a grand finale on September 3, 2026, at the THISDAY Dome in Abuja, where winners will be formally honoured and inducted into the Nigerian Book of Life, a commemorative record of individuals and institutions that have shaped the nation over the past century.
The Organising Council reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, stating that final results in ongoing categories will combine verified public votes with its internal evaluation framework.
