Ojy Okpe, Davido, Bovi, others honoured, as MIPAD 2025 awards celebrate African excellence

The 2025 edition of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Awards and Dinner Night was held in grand style on Sunday night in Lagos, bringing together leading figures from across Africa and the global diaspora to celebrate excellence, leadership, creativity, and impact.

The high-profile ceremony took place at The Library, Lagos, and attracted influential personalities from the worlds of entertainment, media, business, governance, culture, technology, and innovation.

The event also reinforced Lagos’ growing status as a global hub for African achievement and diaspora engagement.

This year’s ceremony was particularly significant, marking the first time in eight years that the prestigious MIPAD Awards were hosted in Lagos.

The return of the platform to Nigeria was widely seen as a symbolic homecoming, reaffirming the country’s central role in connecting Africa with its worldwide diaspora.

Throughout the night, several prominent individuals and organisations were recognised for their contributions and influence.

Afrobeats superstar Davido emerged as Artist of the Year, while celebrated comedian Bovi Ugboma was honoured as Comedian of the Year.

Arise News anchor Ojy Okpe received the News Anchor of the Year award, and music icon D’banj was recognised with Music Platform of the Year for his C.R.E.A.M initiative.

Media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu won Media Personality of the Year, while actress Juliet Ibrahim was named Actor of the Year (Female).

The film and creative arts categories attracted strong attention.

Funke Akindele’s record-breaking production Everybody Loves Jenifa won Blockbuster Movie of the Year, while Omoni Oboli’s Love in Every Word 1 & 2 was named Movie of the Year.

Renowned writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie added literary prestige to the event after being honoured as Author of the Year.

Other notable honourees included Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci, who received Guinness Record Holder of the Year (Female).

Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive of OANDO, was named Man of the Year, while Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, received CEO of the Year.

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, was honoured as Minister of the Year.

In media and lifestyle categories, BellaNaija founder Uche Pedro was recognised as Lifestyle Personality of the Year, while RED Media emerged as Media House of the Year.

The ceremony also celebrated Banky Wellington and Adesua Etomi-Wellington as Power Couple of the Year (Faith), drawing warm applause from attendees.

Ahead of the awards night, the MIPAD Governor of the Year 2025 Award was presented to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during a courtesy visit by the MIPAD delegation to Lagos House on December 18, 2025.

He was recognised for his visionary leadership, transformative governance, and sustained efforts in positioning Lagos as a leading global city for culture, innovation, tourism, and diaspora collaboration.

The Lagos ceremony also served as the grand finale of the Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025, a week-long celebration showcasing African art, culture, innovation, and global connectivity.

Activities during the week included cultural exhibitions, business and leadership engagements, and diaspora-focused events aimed at strengthening ties between Africa and its global community.

Another major milestone was the hosting of the Most Influential 100 Recognition and Awards Ceremony in Nigeria for the first time.

Traditionally held in New York alongside the United Nations General Assembly, its relocation to Lagos marked a historic shift for the MIPAD platform.

Speaking at the event, MIPAD Founder and Chairman, Kamil Olufowobi, described the Lagos edition as a defining moment for the organisation and the broader Global Africa movement.

“For the first time, we are bringing our world-famous recognition platform home to celebrate excellence within the Global Africa family right here in Lagos,” Olufowobi said.

“This is more than an event; it is a movement that unites, connects, and empowers Africans and people of African descent to collaborate and change the world.”

The ceremony also honoured members of the MIPAD Class of 2025, as well as Nigerian recipients from previous years who were unable to attend their recognition ceremonies in New York, rounding off a memorable evening dedicated to African excellence, global influence, and diaspora connection.

Full List of MIPAD 2025 Award Winners
Activist of the Year – Opeyemi Adamolekun
Actor of the Year (Female) – Juliet Ibrahim
Actor of the Year (Male) – Deyemi Okanlawon
Advertising & Marketing Agency of the Year – DKK
Afrobeat Artist of the Year – Mádé Kuti
AI Advocate (Female) – Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho
AI Advocate (Male) – Obinna Okerekeocha
Airline of the Year (Africa) – Air Peace
Animation Studio of the Year – Ferdy “Ladi” Adimefe
Art Festival of the Year – ART X Lagos (Tokini Peterside-Schwebig)
Artist of the Year – Davido
Author of the Year – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Auto Company of the Year – NORD Automobiles
Bank Executive of the Year – Bolaji Lawal
Bankable Media Brand of the Year – The Accelerate Media Group (Colette Osibo)
Blockbuster Movie of the Year – Everybody Loves Jenifa (Funke Akindele)
Brand Ambassador of the Year (Female) – Beauty Tukura
Brand Ambassador of the Year (Male) – Farooq Oreagba
Brand of the Year (Africa) – Martell
Business Man of the Year – Ahonsi Unuigbe
Business Woman of the Year – Owen Omogiafo OON
CEO of the Year – Karl Toriola
Chef of the Year – Chef Tolu Eros
Children’s Book of the Year – Zaqonomics: Financial Literacy for Kids (Zaq Isa)
Comedian of the Year – Bovi Ugboma
Comedy OG of the Year – Ali Baba
Content Creator of the Year – Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori (Kie Kie)
Governor of the Year – Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Guinness Record Holder of the Year (Female) – Hilda Baci
Guinness Record Holder of the Year (Male) – Tunde Onakoya
Lifestyle Personality of the Year – Uche Pedro (BellaNaija)
Man of the Year – Adewale Tinubu
Media House of the Year – RED Media
Media Personality of the Year – Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
Minister of the Year – Hannatu Musawa
Movie of the Year – Love in Every Word 1 & 2 (Omoni Oboli)
Music Platform of the Year – D’banj (C.R.E.A.M.)
News Anchor of the Year – Ojy Okpe
Power Couple of the Year (Faith) – Banky Wellington & Adesua Etomi-Wellington
Woman of the Year – Olori Atuwatse III.

Other category winners were also recognised during the ceremony, reflecting the broad scope and diversity of African excellence celebrated at MIPAD 2025.