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By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The Daily Times Nigeria has unveiled the final list of distinguished Nigerians and institutions to be honoured at the DTN@100 Times Heroes Awards, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and business mogul Aliko Dangote among the headline honourees.
The awards are part of activities marking the centenary of The Daily Times, Nigeria’s iconic newspaper of record which began publication in 1926.
The final roll call was announced on Monday in Lagos by the Chairman of the DTN@100 Heroes Awards Council, Bolaji Okusaga, at a press conference ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the THISDAY Dome, Abuja.
The newspaper said the awards were designed to preserve national memory and recognise Nigerians and institutions whose leadership, public service, enterprise, innovation and contributions have impacted the country and beyond.
Among the distinguished personalities selected for Prestige Honours are President Tinubu; former President Jonathan; former President Obasanjo; and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Also listed for Prestige Honours are former Daily Times managing directors and editors, including Ambassador Dele Cole, Aremo Segun Osoba, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi, Chief Tola Adeniyi, Onyema Ugochukwu and Sam Amuka-Pemu.
The list also includes Chief Mrs Grace Oyelude, Nigeria’s first Miss Nigeria, who was crowned in 1957.
Explaining the rationale behind the awards, Okusaga said the initiative went beyond celebrating prominent personalities, stressing that it was focused on documenting the impact of individuals and institutions that had contributed to Nigeria’s growth and resilience. “These are not simply awards for prominence. They are recognitions of impact,” Okusaga said.
A major highlight of the ceremony will be the recognition of Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina former President of the African Development Bank, who will receive the Global Impact Award.
Adesina, who has confirmed his attendance, will also deliver the keynote address at the ceremony, where he is expected to speak on Africa’s development trajectory, green growth, food security and the next generation of impact.
Businessman and founder of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, will be honoured as Business Icon of the Century, while Secretary to the Government of the Federation, **Senator George Akume, will receive the Public Impact Person of the Decade Award.
The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, will receive the Community Impact Award, while Dr Mahmoud Ahmadu, Executive Chairman/CEO of Online Integrated Solutions Limited, will be recognised as Nigeria Global Champion.
Zenith Bank Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, will receive the Person of the Year Award, while MTN Nigeria CEO, Dr Karl Toriola, will receive the Digital Company of the Decade Award.
In government and public administration, Nigeria Revenue Service Chairman/CEO Zacch Adedeji will receive the Government Agency of the Year Award, while Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo will be honoured as Minister of the Decade.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, will receive the **Public Officer of the Year Award.
The political leadership category will see APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda receive the Politician of the Year Award, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma will be honoured as Governor of the Decade.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago will receive the Governor of the Year Award.
The council will also honour governors representing all six geopolitical zones, with Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Bassey Eno, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas, and Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule receiving Outstanding Governor awards for their respective zones.
The legislative arm of government will also feature prominently at the ceremony.
House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas will receive the Parliamentary Personality of the Decade Award, while former Senate Presidents David Mark and Bukola Saraki, as well as Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, will receive Parliamentary Development Awards.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, will also receive a Parliamentary Development Award.
Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Ojukwu will receive the Trailblazer Award, while Dr Olayinka Fayomi, Group Chairperson of Foreign Investment Network, will receive the **Global Investment Leadership and Economic Diplomacy Award.
The awards will further recognise contributions to energy, enterprise, sustainability, climate action and social development.
Among those listed are Tantita Security Services Managing Director Kestin Pondi, Green Energy International CEO Prof Anthony Adegbulugbe, Emadeb Energy Group CEO Adebowale Olujimi, Felak Concept Group CEO Dr Aisha Sulaimon Achimugu, NIGCOMSAT CEO Jane Egerton-Idehen, and Niger Delta Power Holding Company CEO Jennifer Adighije.
Other honourees include ACReSAL National Project Coordinator Abdulhamid Umar, National Council on Climate Change Director-General Omotenioye Majekodunmi, and African Development Bank Senior Special Adviser on Industrialisation Prof Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka.
The centenary celebration will also feature the unveiling and launch of the Nigerian Centenary Book of Changemakers – Magnum Opus, a commemorative publication intended to preserve the stories and achievements of Nigerians and institutions whose contributions have shaped the country.
According to Okusaga, the centenary is not merely an occasion to look back at the newspaper’s 100-year history but also an opportunity to consider the Nigeria that should be built over the next century.
“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 said.
The September 3 ceremony is expected to attract senior government officials, former heads of state, political leaders, traditional rulers, business executives, diplomats, development experts and media practitioners.
The Daily Times, which has chronicled Nigeria’s political, economic, social and cultural evolution for a century, has framed its centenary as a celebration of “100 years of fearless journalism, championing the future, 1926–2026.”
The DTN@100 Heroes Awards will therefore serve as both a celebration of the newspaper’s century-long legacy and a recognition of individuals and institutions whose contributions, according to the organisers, have helped shape Nigeria’s national story.
