Dr. Nkiru Balonwu, Founder and Creative Director of the Africa Soft Power Group, has accepted the DTN@100 Changemaker Award. She will receive the honour at the Daily Times centenary gala on November 3, 2026, in Lagos. In her acceptance letter, Dr. Balonwu expressed gratitude for the recognition, highlighting her commitment to elevating African voices globally. Africa Soft Power aims to promote African stories, ideas, and achievements to shape global narratives.
Dr. Balonwu has a strong background in advocacy, business, and strategic communications. She was educated at the University of Manchester, University College London, and the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned her doctorate. As a lawyer-turned-entrepreneur, her influence spans multiple sectors. Before launching Africa Soft Power in 2020, she founded the communications consultancy RDF Strategies and made her mark in the tech and creative industries as CEO of Spinlet.
Dr. Balonwu is also a vocal advocate for gender equity. In 2019, she launched African Women on Board at the United Nations General Assembly to champion female leadership. Her work has had a significant impact on promoting African voices and advocating for women's rights. The DTN@100 Changemaker Award recognizes individuals whose work has shaped Nigeria's development and global standing.
The DTN@100 Changemaker Award is part of the Daily Times centenary celebrations. Dr. Balonwu commended the Daily Times on its 100th anniversary and praised the initiative behind the Nigerian Grand Book, a commemorative volume profiling the nation's most impactful figures. The award ceremony will bring together leading figures from government, business, media, and the creative sector.
The award ceremony is expected to celebrate a century of Nigerian journalism and honour individuals shaping the country's next chapter. Dr. Balonwu's recognition is a testament to her dedication to promoting African stories and advocating for women's rights. Her acceptance of the award reaffirms her commitment to elevating African voices on the global stage.
Dr. Balonwu's background and achievements make her a deserving recipient of the DTN@100 Changemaker Award. Her work has had a significant impact on promoting African voices and advocating for women's rights. The Africa Soft Power Group continues to promote African stories, ideas, and achievements to shape global narratives.
The Daily Times centenary gala will honour Dr. Balonwu and other changemakers for their contributions to Nigeria's development and global standing. The event will celebrate a century of Nigerian journalism and recognize individuals shaping the country's next chapter. Dr. Balonwu's acceptance of the award is a significant recognition of her work and commitment to promoting African voices.
Key points
- Dr. Nkiru Balonwu accepts DTN@100 Changemaker Award for her work in promoting African voices and advocating for women's rights.
- The award recognizes individuals whose work has shaped Nigeria's development and global standing.
- Dr. Balonwu's work has had a significant impact on promoting African stories, ideas, and achievements to shape global narratives.
