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The Daily Times Nigeria Centenary (DTN@100) Heroes Awards has announced 29 winners after a nationwide public voting exercise, which drew thousands of verified votes.
This came as the organisers opened fresh voting in three categories ahead of the September 3 grand finale in Abuja.
The awards, one of the flagship initiatives marking the centenary celebration of Daily Times Nigeria, recognise outstanding individuals, institutions and organisations whose leadership, innovation and enduring contributions have shaped Nigeria’s political, economic, social and corporate development.
Chairman of the DTN@100 Organising Council, Bolaji Okusaga, said the overwhelming public participation underscored Nigerians’ desire to celebrate excellence, integrity and transformational leadership.
He said the awards were conceived, not only to recognise outstanding achievements, but also to identify individuals, organisations and states for inclusion in the Nigeria Grand Book (National Souvenir), adding that the initiative would stand as one of the enduring legacies of the Daily Times centenary celebration.
Among the headline honourees, Jim Ovia, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, received the Change Maker of the Century Award, while Folorunsho Alakija won the Life and Legacy Award.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, was named Public Impact Person of the Decade, while former President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, received the Global Impact Award.
Business mogul, Aliko Dangote emerged as the Business Icon of the Century, while Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, was named Person of the Year.
In the political category, Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, won Governor of the Decade, while Niger State governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, emerged Governor of the Year.
The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, was named Politician of the Year.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, received the Lawmaker of the Year (House of Representatives) award, while Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada won the Senate equivalent.
At the federal executive level, Minister of Abiation, Festus Keyamo, was honoured as Minister of the Decade; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, received the Impactful Minister of the Year award, while Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo emerged Transformative Minister of the Year.
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The six Outstanding Governor Awards went to Dauda Lawal (North West), Bala Mohammed (North East), Abdullahi Sule (North Central), Peter Mbah (South East), Umo Eno (South South) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (South West).
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, received the Community Impact Award, while Green Energy International Limited won Energy Company of the Decade, Emadeb Energy Group emerged Energy Company of the Year, and MTN Nigeria received the Digital Company of the Decade award.
The Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) was named Transformative Project of the Year for its role in modernising Nigeria’s trade ecosystem through the indigenous B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, while the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) emerged Government Agency of the Year.
Other recipients include Jane Egerton-Idehen of NigComSat, who won the Enterprise Award; Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, honoured as Public Officer of the Year; and the National Council on Climate Change, which received the Climate Responsibility Award.
Meanwhile, the Organising Council announced that public voting has opened for the Financial Innovation Award, National Development Award and Sustainability Award.
Voting, which began at 4 p.m. on July 30, will close at 9 a.m. on August 5, 2026.
Nominees for the Financial Innovation Award are OPay, Moniepoint, Paystack, PiggyVest, Flutterwave and VBank.
Those shortlisted for the National Development Award are Dr. Olasupo Olusi (Bank of Industry), Dr. Tony Okpanachi (Development Bank of Nigeria), Charles Odii (SMEDAN) and Jennifer Adighije (Niger Delta Power Holding Company).
The Sustainability Award features ACReSAL, Bank of Industry, Seplat Energy, Sahara Group, Unilever Nigeria and Sahara Holdings.
The council also announced the close of nominations for the DTN@100 Trailblazer Award, with successful nominees advancing to public voting. The 10 nominees with the highest number of verified votes will be inducted as DTN@100 Trailblazers.
The DTN@100 Heroes Awards and Centenary Celebration will culminate on September 3, 2026, at the THISDAY Dome, Abuja, where recipients will be formally honoured and inducted into the Nigerian Book of Life, a commemorative publication celebrating individuals and institutions, whose leadership, innovation and contributions have significantly shaped Nigeria’s development over the past century.
