Ahead of its historic centenary celebration in Abuja on September 3, 2026, the Daily Times Nigeria has unveiled the final list of distinguished Nigerians, including public servants, business leaders, political figures, traditional authorities, professionals, and institutions selected for recognition at the DTN@100 Times Heroes Awards.
The final announcement was made by Mr. Bolaji Okusaga, Chairman of the DTN@100 Heroes Awards Council, at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, August 31, 2026. The much-anticipated awards ceremony will be held at the THISDAY Dome, Abuja.
The DTN@100 Heroes Awards form a major component of the centenary celebrations of The Daily Times, Nigeria’s iconic newspaper of record, which began publication in 1926 and has chronicled the country’s political, economic, social and cultural evolution across a century. The centenary programme has been framed around the newspaper’s enduring contribution to journalism, national discourse and nation-building.
According to Okusaga, the awards are conceived not merely as a ceremony of recognition, but as a deliberate effort to preserve national memory and celebrate the individuals and institutions whose leadership, courage, enterprise, public service and innovation have contributed meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
“The Daily Times has spent 100 years documenting the Nigerian story. Through the DTN@100 Heroes Awards, we are taking that responsibility a step further by documenting and celebrating the people and institutions that have helped to write that story through their service, leadership, enterprise and impact,” Okusaga said.
He emphasised that the final list reflects the breadth and diversity of contributions that have shaped the Nigerian experience, spanning governance, politics, business, public administration, technology, energy, development, climate action, community leadership, diplomacy, social impact and enterprise.
“These are not simply awards for prominence. They are recognitions of impact. They speak to what individuals and institutions have contributed to the growth, resilience and transformation of Nigeria and, in several cases, to Africa and the wider global community,” he stated.
A defining feature of the DTN@100 celebration will be the presentation of Prestige Honours to a distinguished group of Nigerians whose lives, careers and contributions occupy an important place in the nation’s history.
The Prestige Honours include President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; His Excellency, Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Also receiving Prestige Honours are Ambassador Dele Cole, former Managing Director of The Daily Times and Nigerian Ambassador; Aremo Segun Osoba, former Managing Director of The Daily Times and former Governor of Ogun State; Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, former Managing Director of The Daily Times and Director, Tanus Communications Limited; Chief Tola Adeniyi, former Chairman/Chief Executive of The Daily Times and author; Mr. Onyema Ugochukwu, former Editor of The Daily Times and pioneer Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission; Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, former Editor of The Daily Times and founder of The Vanguard Newspaper; and Chief Mrs. Grace Oyelude, the first Miss Nigeria, crowned in 1957.
The recognition of these personalities, the Awards Council said, reflects the centenary’s broader commitment to honouring individuals whose careers have intersected with major chapters in Nigeria’s national and institutional development.
Among the headline honourees is Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, former President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), who will receive the Global Impact Award. Adesina has also confirmed his attendance at the September 3 ceremony as Keynote Speaker, where he is expected to speak on Africa’s development trajectory, green growth, food security and the next generation of impact. His confirmation has added significant international development relevance to the centenary celebration.
Other major honourees include Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who will receive the Public Impact Person of the Decade Award; His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, who will receive the Community Impact Award; and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Founder of the Dangote Group, who will be recognised as Business Icon of the Century.
Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadu, Executive Chairman/CEO of Online Integrated Solutions Limited, will receive the Nigeria Global Champion Award, while Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, will be honoured as Person of the Year.
The corporate and technology sector will also feature prominently, with Dr. Karl Olutokun Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, receiving the Digital Company of the Decade Award.
In the legislative and public policy space, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, will receive the Lawmaker of the Year Award for the House of Representatives, while Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, Senator representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, will receive the Lawmaker of the Year Award for the Senate.
Mr. Zacch Adedeji, Chairman/CEO of the Nigeria Revenue Service, will receive the Government Agency of the Year Award, while Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, will be honoured as Minister of the Decade. CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, will receive the Public Officer of the Year Award.
The national development category will recognise Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director/CEO of the Bank of Industry, with the National Development Award, while Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, Chairman of the Trade Modernisation Project, will receive the Transformative Project of the Year Award.
The energy and enterprise sectors will also receive major recognition. High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Limited, will receive the Changemaker Award. Prof. Anthony O. Adegbulugbe, MD/CEO of Green Energy International Limited, will receive the Energy Company of the Decade Award, while Mr. Adebowale Olujimi, Group Managing Director/CEO of Emadeb Energy Group, will receive the Energy Company of the Year Award.
Dr. Aisha Sulaimon Achimugu, Chief Executive Officer of Felak Concept Group, will also receive a Changemaker Award, while Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director/CEO of NIGCOMSAT, will be honoured with the Enterprise Award. Engr. Jennifer Adighije, Managing Director/CEO of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, will receive another Changemaker Award.
Recognition for sustainability, climate action and social development will go to Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, who will receive the Sustainability Award; Omotenioye Majekodunmi, Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, who will receive the Climate Responsibility Award; and Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Senior Special Adviser on Industrialisation at the African Development Bank, who will receive the Social Impact Award.
Mr. Nathan Nwachuku, Co-Founder/CEO of Terra Industries, will receive a Changemaker Award, while City Walk Abuja, described as Abuja’s premier lifestyle and commercial destination, will also be recognised with a Changemaker Award.
The political leadership category features a broad representation of Nigeria’s political and governance landscape. Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will receive the Politician of the Year Award, while Senator Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State, will receive the Governor of the Decade Award. Alhaji Mohammed Umar Bago, Governor of Niger State, will receive the Governor of the Year Award.
The Awards Council will also recognise governors across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, will receive the Outstanding Governor, South South Award; Mr. Peter Ndubisi Mbah, Governor of Enugu State, will receive the Outstanding Governor, South East Award; Dr. Dauda Lawal, Governor of Zamfara State, will receive the Outstanding Governor, North West Award; Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, will receive the Outstanding Governor, South West Award; Dr. Agbu Kefas, Governor of Taraba State, will receive the Outstanding Governor, North East Award; while Engr. Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Nasarawa State, will receive the Outstanding Governor, North Central Award.
The recognition of governors across all six geopolitical zones, according to the Council, highlights the importance of recognising sub-national leadership and development as central components of Nigeria’s national progress.
The DTN@100 Heroes Awards will also recognise distinguished figures whose careers have contributed to the development of Nigeria’s parliamentary and democratic institutions.
Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, will receive the Parliamentary Personality of the Decade Award. Former Senate President Senator David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark, former Senate President Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal will receive Parliamentary Development Awards in recognition of their contributions to legislative and democratic development.
Rt. Hon. Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, will also receive a Parliamentary Development Award.
The Trailblazer Award will go to Barrister Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, while Dr. (Mrs.) Olayinka Fayomi, Group Chairperson of Foreign Investment Network, will receive the Global Investment Leadership and Economic Diplomacy Award.
Okusaga explained that the significance of DTN@100 extends beyond the celebration of an institution that has survived and evolved across a century. He stressed that the centenary provides an opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s journey, celebrate those who have contributed to its development and create a permanent record of the people whose ideas, leadership, and sacrifices have helped shape the country.
“At 100, The Daily Times is not only looking backwards. We are looking forward. We are asking what kind of Nigeria we want to build over the next 100 years, and who are the people whose courage, ideas, innovation and leadership will help us get there,” he remarked.
A major highlight of the centenary programme will be the unveiling and launch of the Nigerian Centenary Book of Changemakers – Magnum Opus, a landmark commemorative publication designed to celebrate and preserve the stories, achievements and contributions of distinguished Nigerians and institutions whose impact has helped shape the country.
The Magnum Opus will provide an enduring historical record of the changemakers whose contributions transcend their individual professions and speak to the larger Nigerian story.
The September 3 ceremony is expected to bring together senior government officials, former heads of state, political leaders, business executives, traditional rulers, diplomats, development leaders, media practitioners and other distinguished Nigerians for an evening dedicated to recognition, reflection and celebration.
The event will also provide an opportunity to celebrate The Daily Times’ century-long contribution to journalism and national discourse while projecting a forward-looking vision for the next century.
The Daily Times has previously described its centenary as a celebration of “100 years of fearless journalism, championing the future, 1926–2026,” reflecting the newspaper’s ambition to connect its historic legacy with the future of journalism and national development.
As the nation prepares for the September 3 celebration at the THISDAY Dome, Abuja, the DTN@100 Heroes Awards Council reiterated that the central message remains that national progress is built by people who choose to make a difference and that their stories deserve to be remembered.
It added that the DTN@100 Heroes Awards will therefore be a celebration not only of achievement but also of impact, legacy and the enduring Nigerian spirit.
