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• Echono, Betara, Dantsoho, Asu, Ukeji, Obi, Edochie, Onyido, Umeh, Tagbo-Okeke, Chima Christian, Nwagbo, Agwu,
Godwin-Isaac, Burji, Ezeobiora, Ekeagu, Agbo, Obele, Otti also
The Sun Publishing Limited, publishers of Daily Sun, Saturday Sun, Sunday Sun, Sporting Sun and thesun.ng, has unveiled the winners of The Sun Awards 2026, honouring outstanding Nigerians and organisations whose contributions have impacted national development.
The winners, drawn from politics, governance, public service, business, security, entertainment, sports and philanthropy, are collectively celebrated as “Nation Builders” in recognition of their exceptional leadership, innovation and service to the country.
A statement signed by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Onuoha Ukeh, announced that unlike previous editions held at the beginning of the year, this year’s ceremony has been brought forward to November because of the January and February 2027 general election.
Among the headline winners is Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who emerged Man of the Year. The Governor of the Year award goes to Governor Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Governor Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Governor Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna) and Governor Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi).
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Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, First Lady of Zamfara State, wins First Lady of the Year, while the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, will receive the Courage in Leadership Award.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele wins Senator of the Year, with former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, emerging as Political Icon of the Year, while Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is Most Innovative Legislator of the Year and Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, member representing Borno State, will receive the House of Representatives Member of the Year award.
In entertainment, celebrated music star Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli (Flavour) wins Creative Icon of the Year award.
The Minister of the Year award goes to Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, while 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 All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Those to receive the Public Service Personality Award include Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Mr. Sonny S.T. Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund; and Dr. Kunemofa Asu, Director of Finance and Accounts, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), with the Real Estate Icon Award going to Mr. Samuel Ajose, CEO of Levitikal Group, and Dr. Mrs. Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, CEO of Homadil Realty.
Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Oliver Alawuba, is named Banker of the Year, while Access Bank Plc wins 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 goes to Chief Joseph Ukeji, Chairman of J.I. Ejison Group International Ltd and Mr. George Obi, Chairman/CEO of Fidel Associates Limited, with Chief Sunday Ephraim Ezeobiora, Chairman of Sunchi Integrated Farms Limited, and Chief Anthony Obele, CEO, Mekens Integrated Nigeria Limited named Investor of the Year.
The Industrialist of the Year award will be received by Chief Williams Agbo, Founder/Chairman of Willson Group; Chief Ikenna Ekeagu, CEO of Blueworld Cosmetics; and Dr. Badamasi Burji, Group Managing Director of First Class Refreshment Limited, with Chief Kester Okike Agwu, Founder/CEO of Tastia Restaurants, and Chief RemiChris Nwagbo, Chairman of BON Octagon Hotel, Abuja, emerging as Hospitality Icon award winners.
The Sports Personality of the Year award goes to Chief Leo Edochie, a renowned golf promoter and Chairman/CEO of Solotone Global Ventures Limited, with Chief Friday Nwabueze Umeh, Founder of Ofiafuluego Foundation and Chief Abraham Ikechukwu Otti, CEO, Allied Victory Nigeria Ltd., winning the Humanitarian Service Icon Award, while HRM Alexander Uzo Onyido, the Igwe of Ogidi, will be honoured as Royal Father of the Year.
This year’s edition also marks the return of the Nigerian Hero Award, which goes to Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, the autistic Nigerian Guinness World Records holder whose record-breaking artistic achievements and advocacy have brought global attention to Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Young Achiever Award will be received by Mr. Chima Christian, Co-founder of Teva Foods Limited.
According to The Sun, this year’s awardees are 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.”
