The Board of Editors and Management of Independent Newspapers have announced the nominees for the 2026 'Performance & Impact Awards.' The categories include governance, economy, banking, technology, maritime, and aviation. Notable nominees for the Man of the Year category are Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State. The awards planning committee selected these individuals and organisations based on their outstanding performance and impact in their respective fields.
In the banking sector, the nominees for Bank of the Year include First Bank, Alternative Bank, and Zenith Bank. The Deal of the Year award category was given to ProvidusUnity Bank and Bank of Industry (BoI) for their outstanding deals in the year. Several senators have been nominated as Lawmaker of the Year (Senate), including Senator Adeola Olamilekan, Sen. Sani Musa, and Sen. Marshall Katung. These lawmakers were recognised for their contributions to the Senate.
The nominees for Lawmaker of the Year (House of Representatives) are Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Dr. Unyime Idem, and Hon. Oboku Oforji. Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), has been nominated as Best Legislator of the Year (Constituency Project). The Most Innovative Cabinet Minister of the Year nominees include Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Mr. Festus Keyamo, and Abubakar Momoh. These ministers were recognised for their innovative approaches to their respective portfolios.
The Regulator of the Year category has nominees such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers Council, and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). In the Public Servant of the Year category, Dr. Aisha Garba, Nonye Ayeni, and Aisha Rimi were recognised for their outstanding service. The Landmark Development of the Year (Property) category features nominees such as Ned Redefini Limited, Veritasi Homes & Properties, and Dantata Town Developers.
The Under-40 Business Leader of the Year category was created to honour entrepreneurs or business executives below 40 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation. Nominees for this category include Nola Adetola, Elizabeth Jack-Rich, and Ituma Chukwu-Emeka. Other categories include Luxury Retailer of the Year, Young Philanthropist of the Year, and Transformative Green Business of the Year.
The Outstanding Agency CEO of the Year category features nominees such as Chris Najomo, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and Dr. Aminu Maida. The Philanthropist of the Year category has nominees such as Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, Dr. Godswill Egbe, and Alhaji Abdulsalam AbdulKarim Zaura. The Maritime Personality of the Year category features Dr. Taiwo Afolabi and Dr. Louis Ekere as nominees.
The awards also feature categories such as Real Estate Company of the Year, Oil & Gas Personality of the Year, and Aviation Personality of the Year. Notable nominees include Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, Chief Lesi Baribera Maol, and Captain Ado Sanusi. The Governors of the Year awards have seven categories, with nominees such as Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, Gov. Uba Sani, and Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Key points
- Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State are nominees for the Man of the Year category.
- The awards feature various categories, including governance, economy, banking, technology, maritime, and aviation.
- The nominees for the awards were selected based on their outstanding performance and impact in their respective fields.
