Independent Newspapers unveils silver jubilee award nominees

Independent Newspapers Limited, publishers of Daily Independent, Saturday Independent and Sunday Independent, has unveiled the shortlist of nominees for the silver jubilee edition of its annual Independent Awards following a rigorous internal review by its Board of Editors. The board, in a statement, said the nominations emerged from weeks of nationwide submissions by Nigerians, who […]

Independent Newspapers Limited, publishers of Daily Independent, Saturday Independent and Sunday Independent, has unveiled the shortlist of nominees for the silver jubilee edition of its annual Independent Awards following a rigorous internal review by its Board of Editors.

The board, in a statement, said the nominations emerged from weeks of nationwide submissions by Nigerians, who put forward individuals and corporate organisations from both the public and private sectors across 25 categories for outstanding performance in 2025.

It said public voting opens on Monday, February 16, 2026, beginning with the Business Leader of the Year category, which recognises business magnates whose vision and execution have significantly shaped Nigeria’s economy.

Nominees include Anthony Elumelu, Catherine Uju Ifejika, Amy Jadesimi, Jite Odeworitse Tesigimoje Brown, Stanley Uzochukwu, Thomas Ogungbangbe and Kanayo Eni-Ikeh.

In the Young Entrepreneur of the Year category, which celebrates innovators under 40 driving growth and job creation, shortlisted nominees are Ola Daramola, Femi Aluko and Joyce Awosike.

The Board of Editors noted that several state governors recorded notable performances across multiple sectors in 2025, leading to multiple nominations in public-sector categories.

The Outstanding Governor of the Year shortlist features Alex Otti (Abia), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Dikko Umaru Radda (Katsina) and Uba Sani (Kaduna).

Other governor-focused categories include Financial Architect, Health Sector Transformation, Infrastructure Champion and Education Reformer of the Year.

At the federal level, nominees were announced for Most Innovative Cabinet Minister, Senator of the Year, House of Representatives Member of the Year, and Public Sector Reformer of the Year, reflecting contributions to governance, reform and service delivery.

Private-sector categories span technology, fintech, banking, alternative energy, pharmaceuticals, creative industries and corporate social responsibility, with leading firms and individuals shortlisted for their impact and innovation.

Non-voting Lifetime Achievement Awards will honour distinguished Nigerians for long-term contributions to nation-building.

The race for Man of the Year is between Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman/CEO of BUA Group, and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.

Independent Newspapers said winners across all categories will emerge from a combination of public voting, jury assessment and editorial board review, in line with established weightings for the final selection.