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Billionaire businessman, real estate mogul and philanthropist, Sir Olu Okeowo, will chair the 2026 edition of The Sun Awards, scheduled to hold on Friday, November 13, at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, beginning at 7pm.
The Management of The Sun Publishing Limited announced that Sir Okeowo, Chief Executive Officer of Gibraltar Construction Nigeria Limited and a medical doctor, has accepted to preside over the prestigious ceremony, which will celebrate 45 distinguished Nigerians for their outstanding contributions to the socio-economic and political development of the country.
In accepting the invitation, Okeowo commended The Sun for sustaining the awards and recognising Nigerians whose accomplishments and contributions are making a difference in the country.
“I accept to be Chairman at the event. I have followed The Sun Awards and must commend you for taking out time to single out Nigerians who are contributing to the country’s development for recognition,” he said.
Okeowo, whose Gibraltar Construction Nigeria Limited developed the luxurious Parkview Estate in Ikoyi, Lagos, is widely recognised for his contributions to the real estate sector and philanthropy.
The 2026 edition, themed “Nation Builders,” will honour 45 personalities drawn from politics, governance, public service, business, security, entertainment, sports and philanthropy.
According to The Sun, the awardees have been selected in recognition of their exceptional leadership, innovation, enterprise and service to the nation.
“They are being celebrated as Nation Builders because their actions, leadership, innovations and services have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s development, stability and progress, while inspiring hope for a stronger and more prosperous nation,” the newspaper said.
Among the awardees is Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who will receive the Man of the Year award. The Governor of the Year award will be received by Governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State.
The First Lady of Zamfara State, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, will receive the First Lady of the Year award, while the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, will be honoured with the Courage in Leadership Award.
In the legislature, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, is the Senator of the Year, while former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, will receive the Political Icon of the Year award. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, will be honoured as Most Innovative Legislator of the Year, while Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, representing a constituency in Borno State, will receive the House of Representatives Member of the Year award.
In the entertainment industry, celebrated music star, Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour, will receive the Creative Icon of the Year award.
The Minister of the Year award will go to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, and the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be conferred on former Ogun State Governor and serving senator, Gbenga Daniel; Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International, Most Rev. Margaret Benson-Idahosa; former Chairman of Lasaco Assurance Plc, Chief Mrs. Teju Phillips; former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo; and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
Recipients of the Public Service Personality Award are Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Mr. Sonny S.T. Echono, Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund); and Dr. Kunemofa Asu, Director of Finance and Accounts, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The Real Estate Icon Award will go to Mr. Samuel Ajose, Chief Executive Officer of Levitikal Group, and Dr. Mrs. Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, Chief Executive Officer of Homadil Realty.
Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Oliver Alawuba, will receive the Banker of the Year award, while Access Bank Plc will be named Bank of the Year. The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), under the leadership of Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, will receive the Parastatal of the Year award.
The Entrepreneur of the Year award will be presented to Chief Joseph Ukeji, Chairman of J.I. Ejison Group International Limited, and Mr. George Obi, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Fidel Associates Limited.
The Investor of the Year award will go to Chief Sunday Ephraim Ezeobiora, Chairman of Sunchi Integrated Farms Limited, and Chief Anthony Obele, Chief Executive Officer of Mekens Integrated Nigeria Limited.
The Industrialist of the Year award will be conferred on Chief Williams Agbo, Founder/Chairman of Willson Group; Chief Ikenna Ekeagu, Chief Executive Officer of Blueworld Cosmetics; and Dr. Badamasi Burji, Group Managing Director of First Class Refreshment Limited.
In the hospitality sector, Chief Kester Okike Agwu, Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Tastia Restaurants, and Chief RemiChris Nwagbo, Chairman of BON Octagon Hotel, Abuja, will receive the Hospitality Icon Award.
The Sports Personality of the Year award will go to Chief Leo Edochie, renowned golf promoter and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Solotone Global Ventures Limited.
The Humanitarian Service Icon Award will be presented to Chief Friday Nwabueze Umeh, Founder of Ofiafuluego Foundation, and Chief Abraham Ikechukwu Otti, Chief Executive Officer of Allied Victory Nigeria Limited.
The traditional institution will also be represented, with HRM Alexander Uzo Onyido, the Igwe of Ogidi, receiving the Royal Father of the Year award.
A major highlight of this year’s ceremony is the return of the Nigerian Hero Award, which will be presented to Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, the autistic Nigerian Guinness World Records holder whose extraordinary artistic accomplishments and advocacy have drawn international attention to Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The Young Achiever Award will go to Mr. Chima Christian, Co-founder of Teva Foods Limited.
The Sun Awards, one of Nigeria’s prominent platforms for celebrating excellence and outstanding national contributions, has continued to recognise individuals and institutions whose achievements, courage, enterprise and commitment to service are helping to shape the country’s future.
