by George Ozalla
Nigeria’s leadership class convened at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre on Thursday for the 18th edition of the Leadership Newspaper Annual Conference and Awards, a high-profile event recognizing excellence in governance, public service, corporate innovation, arts, and national impact. The venue was filled with governors, lawmakers, diplomats, business leaders, youth icons, and traditional rulers, underscoring the event’s prestige and national significance.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, was named Person of the Year 2025, the day’s highest individual honour, recognizing her social investment initiatives, women and youth empowerment programmes, and her unifying voice for national cohesion. In her remarks, she urged Nigerians to embrace shared purpose across cultural and political lines and to pursue sustainable development with collective commitment, describing the award as a shared achievement that reflects the aspirations of every citizen. Former First Lady Dame Mrs Patience Jonathan and the revered traditional ruler, Etsu Nupe, Dr Abubakar Yahaya, who served as Royal Father of the day, were among the distinguished guests who celebrated her achievement.
Governors of the Year 2025 were recognized for transformative leadership and developmental accomplishments. Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule of Nasarawa State received awards for infrastructure, economic strategy, and human capital development. Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State was honoured for people-centred governance, while Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State was recognised for security improvements, social welfare expansion, and industrial growth. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, represented by his deputy, dedicated his award to the people of Delta State, citing progress in education, healthcare, and community development. Senator Uba Sani of Kaduna State also received recognition among the Governors of the Year.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, was honoured as Legislator of the Year 2025 for his leadership, legislative advocacy, and focus on citizen-centred lawmaking. In his response, Kalu described the award as a call to deepen legislation that improves the lives of Nigerians, and he paid tribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio for their leadership synergy.
Corporate and financial honourees included Dr Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director and CEO of the Development Bank of Nigeria, named Banker of the Year 2025 for expanding access to finance and empowering small and medium-sized enterprises, and Providus Bank, recognized as Bank of the Year 2025 for advancing digital financial services. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission was recognized as Government Agency of the Year 2025, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure was honoured for advancing science-led industrial growth. Green Energy International Limited was awarded Oil and Gas Local Content Champion of the Year 2025, OPay received Fintech Company of the Year 2025, and the Trade Modernisation Project was recognized as Company of the Year 2025 for improving trade and customs operations.
Fifteen-year-old Nigerian talented artist Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, who lives with autism, was celebrated for creating the largest art canvas ever produced by an individual, a Guinness World Record achievement. His artwork, Impossibility is a Myth, covering 12,303.87 square metres, raises awareness about neurodiversity and inclusion, highlighting the potential of youth to inspire national conversation. He was accompanied to the event by his proud parents and siblings.
Speakers at the conference reflected on governance, economic reform, and national cohesion, emphasizing leadership accountability and inclusive growth as pillars for Nigeria’s future. Leadership Newspaper executives described the awards as a national call to service, recognizing individuals and institutions selected on the basis of measurable impact, integrity, and contributions to national development.
Established by the late Samuel Ndanusa Isaiah, popularly known as Sam Nda‑Isaiah, Leadership Newspaper has grown into one of Nigeria’s foremost national newspapers, setting a standard for journalistic excellence and civic engagement. He founded the annual conference and awards to honour those whose work has significantly influenced governance, economic transformation, and public life, while promoting elevated standards of leadership and responsibility. The 18th edition reaffirmed the event’s reputation as a premier platform for celebrating achievement and inspiring continued service across every sector of national life, continuing the vision of its founder to recognize integrity, impact, and the transformative power of dedicated leadership.
