Tunji-Ojo, Sanwo-Olu, Soludo, Afe Babalola Lead List for 2026 Face of Africa Leadership Award
Sunday Ehigiator
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Charles Soludo; and legal icon and founder of Afe Babalola University, Afe Babalola (SAN), are among prominent Nigerians selected for the 2026 Face of Africa Leadership Award for Governance and Public Service Excellence scheduled to hold in London on April 2, 2026.
The event is scheduled to be held at King’s College London from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Publisher, Editorial Board and Management of Triangle International Magazine, Femi Salako, through a statement yesterday, announced the list of awardees after what it described as a rigorous review of the track records of nominated individuals across various sectors.
Other notable recipients include the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal; and Senator representing Delta Central, Ede Dafinone of Delta State.
Also on the list are Group Managing Director of Sahara Group, Kola Adesina; public sector expert Lekan Ajisafe; insurance professional and philanthropist Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi; Executive Director, Technical Services at the Rural Electrification Agency, Umar Abdullahi Umar; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Samuel Ogbuku; and member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka.
According to the organisers, the award recognises exceptional leadership, integrity and measurable impact in governance, public service and socio-economic development within the past year.
The board said it had formally approved the nominations and selections for the 2026 edition of the award and confirmed that all recipients had been duly notified and their attendance confirmed.
The organisers noted that the platform remains committed to celebrating excellence and documenting inspiring leadership stories across Africa.
“This award, over the years, celebrates real hard work and success stories, honours them and documents them for real-time reference,” the statement said.
The 2026 edition of the awards will also coincide with the 10th anniversary of Triangle International Magazine, which has, over the years, recognised notable Africans across diverse fields. As part of the anniversary celebration, the event will feature a lecture and dinner.
Since its inception, the award has honoured several distinguished Africans, including the late South African cleric and anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu, former Nigerian minister Ali Isa Pantami and veteran diplomat Emeka Anyaoku.
The fourth edition of the awards will also feature a special lecture themed “Harnessing the Role of Nigerians in the Diaspora for National Development, Collaboration, Investment, Knowledge Transfer, and Civic Engagement.”
