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The Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Prof. Stella Ifeanyi Smith and the management of a leading fintech company, Opay Digital Services Limited, have hailed The Sun Awards as an energiser that fuel their commitment to continually deliver excellent services.
Prof. Smith and the management of Opay will be honoured alongside 36 and one corporate organisation at The Sun Awards ceremony holding at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on January 31, 2026.
Prof. Smith and Opay management spoke separately in Lagos when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh, led a team to present nomination letters confirming their emergence as winners of the Public Service Personality and Fintech/Digital Bank of the Year awards respectively.
Receiving The Sun team, Opay’s Chief Technology Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Dotun Daniel Adekunle, who represented the Managing Director, Dauda Wuritka Gotring, expressed delight at the honour by The Sun.
He said: “The recognition is a welcome development. The Sun has stood out as one of the shining beacons of journalism and we are excited to receive the award.
“This is an incentive to do more. We’re committed to be user friendly and innovative and people call us a product of the masses. We also work for the elite and everyone with the same level of innovation and commitment. Our desire is to see banking services get to every nook and cranny; whether you use android, apple or old, cheaper phones, we want to make sure you’re financially included.”
Earlier in his address, Ukeh hailed Opay for clinching the first fintech digital award ever instituted by The Sun.
He described Opay as a household name that has transformed how banking services are rendered.
Ukeh added that the Fintech/Digital Bank of the Year Award is reserved for institutions that demonstrate exceptional performance, integrity and measurable impact on the economy, while explaining that the selection process was rigorous and uncompromising.
“We choose carefully, defend our choices and in some cases have withdrawn recognitions. Opay emerged because of its clear and consistent impact,” he said.
The Sun MD noted that Opay has built a comprehensive digital ecosystem that integrates mobile banking, digital wallets, instant payments, merchant services, transportation solutions and lifestyle offerings.
The Sun MD said Opay’s vision of making financial services accessible, convenient and inclusive has helped bridge the gap between traditional banking and the digital economy.
“By leveraging advanced technology, the platform has simplified complex financial processes, empowered small businesses and enabled millions of Nigerians to participate more confidently in economic activities,” he added.
Ukeh also commended the leadership of Opay’s Managing Director, Dauda Wuritka Gotring, a former director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), appointed in August 2023.
According to him, under Gotring’s stewardship, the company has strengthened its culture of innovation, resilience and customer-focused excellence.
He asserted that Opay’s impressive growth trajectory and deep economic impact made it a deserving recipient of the 2025 Fintech/Digital Bank of the Year Award.
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On her part, Prof. Smith praised the management of The Sun for recognising her contributions to national development through medical research, and for considering her worthy to be honoured with The Sun Award.
She gave a brief narrative of her career trajectory, pointing out the milestones that shaped her success story.
The Sun MD had, while presenting the letter of nomination earlier, noted that as the Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Prof. Smith stands tall among Nigeria’s foremost scientists and public service icons.
He said: “You are celebrated for your groundbreaking contributions to medical research, public health, and scientific innovation.
“Since 1988, when you joined the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, you have proved your worth, rising through the ranks to become the Director of Research. You are also serving as a Professor of Microbiology at Mountain Top University in Ogun State.
“Your pioneering research in molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance, particularly on Helicobacter pylori and other infectious agents, has placed you at the forefront of global medical research. Through your leadership, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research’s Molecular Biology Division has become a hub for biomedical innovation, diagnostics, and research excellence.”
Ukeh also affirmed that Prof. Smith’s works have continued to strengthen Nigeria’s health research system and inspire future generations of scientists.
Apart from Prof. Smith and Opay, other individuals and organisations to receive awards include; Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and Sen. Solomon Adeola, Senator representing Ogun West (Man of the Year); Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Gov Bassey Otu of Cross River (Governor of the Year).
The First Lady of the Year award goes to Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma of Imo State while the Political Personality of the Year award would be received by Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, just as HRM, Igwe Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi Kingdom would receive the Most Outstanding Royal Father of the Year award.
The Minister of the Year goes to Mr. Nyesom Wike, Minister of FCT, while the Lifetime Achievement Award would be received by Oba Rashid Ladoja, Olubadan of Ibadanland; Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); and Chief Simeon Eyisi, Chairman/CEO, SIMS Nigeria Limited.
Like Prof. Stella Ifeanyi Smith, the Public Service Personality award will also be received by Dr. Emeka Agbasi, MD/CEO, Federal Road Maintenance Agency while the Banker of the Year award goes to Mr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, MD, Premium Trust Bank Plc, just as Investor of the Year award will be received by Dr. Julius Rone, CEO, UTM Offshore Limited; Dr. Andrew Oru, Chairman, Rojitel Group and Engr. Oguchi Emeka, Chairman/CEO, Point Technologies Ltd.
The Entrepreneur of the Year award would be received by Prince Charles Ezeagwu, CEO, Charzin Group; Mr. Olasunkanmi Owoyemi, Chairman, Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited; Chief Mike Duru Ejiogu, CEO, Citygate Group; and Dr. Eric Opah, CEO, Fortune Global.
Mr. John Ezeobi, chairman, Zobis Cable Nigeria Limited; Chief Emeka Agbanari, chairman, Seaman Group, and Chief Peter Orogwu, chairman, Chuby Zion Industries Limited, would receive the Industrialist of the Year award, with Real Estate Icon award going to Dr. Stephen Maxwell Nweze, Chairman if Seman Global Concept Limited.
The Humanitarian Service Icon award goes Sen. Jubril Barau, Deputy Senate President with the Hospitality Icon award going to Mr. Paul Onwuanibe, CEO, Landmark Africa Group, owners of Landmark Hotel & Resorts, and Chief Livinus Anigbogu, CEO, AG Lexon Nig. Limited, owners of Villa Park Hotel & Suites.
The Courage in Leadership award would be received by Bishop Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, while the Nollywood Icon award goes to Dr. Kenneth Okonkwo, ace actor, film producer and activist.
Mrs. Onyeka Michael-Ugwu, founder, Hello Perfect and Mr. Tunde Onakoya, founder, Chess in Slum Africa, would receive the Young Achievers award, with Zenith Bank Plc receiving the Bank of the Year award and Opay Digital Services Limited receiving Fintech/Digital Bank of the Year award.
