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By Henry Umahi, Chinelo Obogo, Oluseye Ojo and Chukwuma Umeorah
Last night, The Sun Publishing Limited, publishers of Daily Sun, Saturday Sun, Sunday Sun and Sporting Sun newspapers, celebrated 45 Nigerians who distinguished themselves in various spheres in the outgoing year.
The 2026 edition, with the theme, ‘Nation Builders,’ honoured 45 personalities drawn from politics, governance, public service, business, security, entertainment, sports and philanthropy.
The awardees were selected in recognition of their exceptional leadership, innovation, enterprise and service to the nation.
According to the management of the organisation, they were 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 awardees were led by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who received the Man of the Year award. The Governor of the Year award was 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, received the First Lady of the Year award, while the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, was 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, received the Political Icon of the Year award. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, was honoured as Most Innovative Legislator of the Year, while Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, representing a constituency in Borno State, received the House of Representatives Member of the Year award.
In the entertainment industry, celebrated music star, Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour, received the Creative Icon of the Year award.
The Minister of the Year award went to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, and the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was 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 went 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, received the Banker of the Year award, while Access Bank Plc was named Bank of the Year. The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), under the leadership of Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, received the Parastatal of the Year award.
The Entrepreneur of the Year award was 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 went 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 was 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, received the Hospitality Icon Award.
The Sports Personality of the Year award went to Chief Leo Edochie, renowned golf promoter and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Solotone Global Ventures Limited.
The Humanitarian Service Icon Award was 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 was also 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 was 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 went to Mr Chima Christian, Co-founder of Teva Foods Limited.
The Sun Awards, one of Africa’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.
Indeed, it will be impossible to forget in a hurry the night some of Nigeria’s finest, who through their accomplishments, in the face of socio-economic and political challenges in Nigeria, were celebrated for making the country proud.
The Sun Awards, which is a dominant media, entertainment and networking brand in Africa, brought together the powers-that-be: government officials, captains of industry, boardroom titans, literally gurus, as well as entertainment aficionados.
But while the evening was all about celebrating achievements in various spheres, there was plenty happening away from it, too. Contacts were made, business cards were swapped and fashion statements were made on the red carpet with bespoke tailoring. In fact, many of the guest spoke eloquently about their relationship with fashion.
In his speech, the Managing Director and Editor in Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, said: “Tonight, we gather to celebrate more than individual achievements. We gather to honour service, courage, vision, enterprise, integrity and the enduring spirit of nation-building.
“Our theme, ‘Nation Builders,’ is both a tribute and a challenge. It is a tribute to Nigerians whose contributions have advanced our society, and a challenge to every one of us to ask: What am I doing to build the Nigeria of our dreams?”
He said that that question is especially important at a time when our country faces daunting economic, political and social challenges.
According to him, Nigeria has enormous potential, abundant resources and extraordinary human talent. Yet poverty, unemployment, insecurity, inequality and weak institutions continue to hold us back.”
Take this from Ukeh: “The truth is that Nigeria cannot rise above the quality of its leadership, nor can it prosper where leadership is divorced from responsibility.
“We need businesses that create jobs, industries that add value to our resources, financial institutions that support productive enterprise and technology that unlocks the potential of our young people. We must move beyond exporting raw materials to building an economy driven by manufacturing, innovation, creativity and knowledge.
“What is clear is that nation-building is not the exclusive responsibility of government. It is a collective duty. Nation builders are the entrepreneur who creates jobs, the public servant who stands against corruption, the security officer who risks his life to protect others, the legislator who makes laws in the public interest, the farmer who feeds the nation, the innovator who creates new possibilities, the clergy who provide moral leadership, the sports promoter who uses sports to unite society; and the young Nigerian who refuses to surrender to despair.”
Ukeh said those who met these criteria are the people being celebrated. According to him, they may not necessarily be the wealthiest, the most politically powerful or the loudest in public life. “They are people whose actions make a difference and leave their communities, institutions and country better than they found them,” he emphasised.
Ukeh further said: “One enduring lesson of nation-building is that leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege. Public office is a public trust, not personal property. Corporate success must go beyond profitability to include job creation, innovation and social responsibility. Ultimately, leadership should be measured not by titles, ceremonies or applause, but by its impact on people’s lives.
“Nigeria needs stronger institutions, enduring policies, productive businesses, quality education and a democracy in which the people’s voices truly matter.
“We must build a country where a child’s circumstances of birth do not limit ambition; where honesty is rewarded rather than punished; where hard work creates opportunity; where justice is not the preserve of the powerful; and where every citizen can live with dignity and hope.
“That is the Nigeria we must collectively strive to build. As we honour tonight’s award recipients, let us remember that the greatest reward for nation-builders is not the trophies they receive, but the enduring impact of their contributions to society.
“Let us leave here determined to be builders, not spectators; contributors, not mere critics; and agents of progress, not accomplices in national decline.
Let us build a Nigeria in which the next generation will inherit not just the problems we have struggled with, but stronger institutions, greater opportunities, a fairer society and a brighter future.
As we celebrate our distinguished awardees, may their examples inspire us all to do our part in taking Nigeria to greater heights.”
In his welcome address, the Founder of The Sun Publishing Limited, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, reaffirmed the non-partisan character of The Sun Awards. He said the platform is dedicated to recognising excellence and celebrating Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields.
Kalu said the awards are not associated with any political party or interest, but were established to recognise the best among Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations.
“I welcome you to a platform that is not political, not associated with any party, but is here to recognise the best. Everybody who gets this award is among the best of the best,” he said.
He described The Sun Awards as the biggest awards event in Africa. He said its growth over the years had made it a major platform for recognising outstanding contributions across different sectors.
“There is no event like this in the entire Africa,” Kalu said.
He acknowledged the support the newspaper had received over the years. He recalled that he had stepped aside from its leadership four or five years ago to allow the current leadership to take over.
He said the newspaper’s achievements, including the growth of its annual awards, reflected the contributions of people who had supported its activities. Kalu welcomed guests and dignitaries, including traditional rulers, the Senate Leader, the Deputy Speaker, members of the diplomatic corps and other distinguished guests.
He also congratulated the recipients, describing them as “deserving individuals whose contributions had earned them recognition.”
Encouraging those who were not honoured to remain patient, he said recognition comes at different times. “People who have not received this award, do not lose hope. Your time will come. The people receiving the awards tonight, their time is today,” he said.
The chairman of the 2026 The Sun Awards, Chief Olu Okeowo, urged honourees to treat their recognition as a starting point rather than a finish line.
He praised The Sun Publishing Limited for its record over the years. He said the newspaper has shown quality, consistency and credibility describing the process of identifying and honouring the awardees as rigorous and serious. He congratulated the leaders being recognised and said their values, sacrifices, ideas and determination are driving national development.
He told the honourees that the award should mark a new beginning. He said they should acknowledge what they have achieved while accepting that more work lies ahead. He asked them to uphold integrity, demonstrate responsible leadership and set an example for others who share those values.
Okeowo said Nigeria needs more people willing to make a difference in business, public life, social life and their communities. He argued that national progress depends on citizens committed to excellence and the common good, and he described this as one of the lasting values of the honour.
Drawing on his own years in business, Okeowo said enterprises serve a wider purpose than profit. He listed what responsible businesses do: they create jobs, build skills, pay taxes and generate revenue, and in doing so give people opportunities to improve their lives and advance their values. He said he hoped the achievements celebrated that night would inspire greater commitment to national development and encourage others to reach their collective potential.
In her remark, the chairman and Publisher of The Sun Publishing Limited, Neya Kalu, urged Nigerians to confront adversity with courage, sustain hope and remain committed to building a better country.
Neya cited the extraordinary achievements of 16-year-old Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, popularly known as Kanye, who lives with autism, as an inspiration. She noted that he cycled 687 kilometres from Enugu to Lagos as part of an autism awareness campaign, and she listed his Guinness World Record for the largest art canvas in the world. She described his achievements as evidence of the power of determination and challenged Nigerians to rise above their limitations.
“If he cannot let his boundaries limit his reach, then what is our excuse?” she asked.
Neya said Nigeria would become a better country if citizens remained focused, united and committed to contributing their talents to national development.
Neya, who described resilience as the defining message of the awards, said it went beyond enduring hardship. It meant maintaining hope, looking beyond present difficulties and refusing to surrender.
“Resilience isn’t just about what you endure; it is about keeping your head held high, fixing your eyes on the horizon and refusing to let the light in you dim,” she said.
She noted that Nigerians had repeatedly shown their capacity to overcome challenges and excel, adding that life’s difficulties required grit, faith and the determination to keep moving forward.
Neya congratulated the award recipients and said their accomplishments reflected a commitment to excellence. She added that they showed how individual contributions could advance national progress.
“You have chosen excellence over ease, and your success shows that when we all bring our gifts to the table, Nigeria succeeds,” she said.
On behalf of The Sun family, she congratulated the winners and thanked guests and supporters for their continued confidence in the organisation. She also paid tribute to The Sun’s founder, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, whom she described as her father, boss and mentor.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State commended The Sun Publishing Limited for its consistency and culture of excellence.
Sanwo-Olu who was a guest at the 2026 Sun Awards which held in Lagos on Friday said: “ I thank the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma on his award as The Sun Man of the year, He is a man I know truly deserves the honour and the award that has been given to him today. I’m happy to watch so many of you win, and I’m happy with what The Sun Newspaper is doing. From my government, from the leadership of Mr. President down to all of you, I believe you get rewarded when you serve the people well.”
I dedicate my award to Tinubu -Uzodimma
Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma said he dedicated The Sun Man of the Year award to President Bola Tinubu.
While receiving the honour at the 2026 Sun Award, he said: “ I want to use this opportunity to inform this audience that we, the governors are working together in the interest of the country, and I wish to dedicate the honour and the award given to us today to the progressive leadership of President Bola Tinubu, a man who has moved this country from strength to strength.
“I am not unaware that The Sun used the governors’ performance as part of the parameters they used in giving this honour to us. Those achievements and performances were possible because these men are strong, both in character and in form, So for this, I say to God be the glory. “
