Entertainment
FULL LIST: Ebuka, Bovi, Juliet Ibrahim, others, honoured at MIPAD 2025
The Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) 2025 Awards and Dinner Night celebrated African excellence, recognising outstanding individuals and institutions across entertainment, media, business, governance, and culture.
Held at The Library, Lagos, the event highlighted Lagos’ growing reputation as a global hub for African achievement and diaspora engagement.
Some notable winners included Davido, who was named Artist of the Year, while comedian Bovi Ugboma received Comedian of the Year.
Arise News anchor Ojy Okpe was celebrated as News Anchor of the Year, and music icon D’banj won Music Platform of the Year for C.R.E.A.M.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu was honoured as Media Personality of the Year, and actress Juliet Ibrahim was awarded Actor of the Year (Female).
Other standout winners included Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who was celebrated as Author of the Year, and Funke Akindele’s blockbuster Everybody Loves Jenifa, which won Blockbuster Movie of the Year.
Omoni Oboli’s Love in Every Word 1 & 2 was named Movie of the Year, reflecting the growing global influence of African storytelling.
The ceremony also honoured the MIPAD Class of 2025, as well as past Nigerian recipients who were unable to attend their recognition ceremonies in New York, rounding off a memorable evening dedicated to African excellence, global impact, and diaspora connection.
Below is the full list of 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 by 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 by 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 by Zaq Isa
● Comedian of the Year: Bovi Ugboma
● Comedy OG of the Year: Ali Baba
● Commercial Director of the Year: Ikechukwu Agu
● Commissioner of the Year (Female): Hon. Toke Benson-Awoyinka
● Commissioner of the Year (Male): Hon. Dapo Okubadejo
● Content Creator of the Year: Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Kie Kie
● COO of the Year: “Yewande Adewusi, Alitheia Capital
● Creative Director of the Year: Osaru Alile
● Crypto Executive of the Year: Jeremiah Mayowa (Jeroid)
● Design Festival of the Year: Titi Ogufere
● Director General of The year-Female: Aisha Augie
● Director General of The year-Male: Obi Asika
● Director of the Year (Film): Wale Ojo
● DJ of the Year : DJ Obi (Obinna Ajuonuma)
● Doctor of the Year (Male): Dr. Julius Kunle Oni, M.D. FAOA
● Emerging Leader (Under 40): Nduka Nduka-Eze and Nnamdi Nduka-Eze – Motherland Hub
● Energy Executive of the Year (Female): Rolake Akinkugbe -Filani
● Energy Executive of the Year (Male): Ainojie Alex Irune (PhD)
● Entertainment Executive of the Year: Fela Oke
● ESG & Climate Personality Of The Year: “Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos on Climate Change and Circular Economy
● Event Planner of the Year: Oaken Events by Ayiri Oladunmoye
● Exhibition of the Year: Fela Exhibition
● Film Festival Of The Year: Chioma Ude, Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF
● Fintech Company of the Year: Moniepoint by Tosin Eniolorunda, Group CEO
● FMCG Executive of the Year: Seleem Adegunwa
● Foreign Diplomat of the Year: Jonny Baxter
● Foundation of the Year: Lady Mary Dinah
● Future Leader of the Year: Toni Fola-Alade
● Global Africa Man of the Year: Prof. Benedict Oramah
● Global Africa Woman of the Year: Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE
● Government Agency of the Year – Federal: SMEDAN Charles Odii, Director General
● Government Agency of the Year -State: Adetoun Popoola (Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency)
● Governor of the Year: Executive Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
● Guinness Record Holder of the Year (Female): Hilda Baci
● Guinness Record Holder of the Year (Male): Tunde Onakoya
● Hospitality Brand of the Year: Paul Onwuanibe, CEO at Landmark Africa
● Influencer of the Year: Chinyere Adogu
● Intel Executive of the Year: Tanwa Ashiru (Bulwark Intelligence)
● Investor of the Year: Iyinoluwa Aboyeji
● Law Firm of the Year: Aluko & Oyebode (ALN)
● Leading Woman of The year: Abosede George-Ogan
● Lifestyle Festival of The Year: ISIMI Lagos Festival by Olawale Ayilara
● Lifestyle Personality of The Year: Uche Pedro, Bella Naija
● Literary Festival of The Year: AKE Art & Book Festival by Lola Shoneyin
● Luxury Personality of the Year (Female): Jennifer Obayuwana,Executive Director, Polo Limited
● Luxury Personality of the Year (Male): Alexander Amosu
● Man of the Year: Adewale Tinubu
● Managing Director of the Year: Alex Okosi
● Media Executive of the Year: Stephanie Busari
● Media House of the Year: RED Media
● Media Personality of the Year: Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
● Mental Health Advocate Of The Year: Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri (Dr. May)
● Minister of The Year: Honorable Minister, Hannatu Musawa
● Movie of the Year: Omoni Oboli, Love in Every Word 1&2
● Movie of the Year (blockbuster): Everybody Loves Jenifa
● Music Executive of the Year: Samuel “Samo” Onyemelukwe
● Music Platform of the Year: Dbanj (C.R.E.A.M.)
● News Anchor of the Year: Ojy Okpe
● Payment Executive of the Year: Mike Ogbalu iii FCIB
● Peak Performer of the Year: Dr. Abiola Salami
● Photographer of the Year: Kelechi Amadi Obi
● Podcast of the Year: MENtality, Ebuka & Banky W
● Policy Advocate of the year: Oswald Osaretin Guobadia
● Power Couple of the Year (Business): Mr Mark & Mrs Phillipa Okoye
● Power Couple of the Year (Change Makers): Mr Tokunbo & Mrs Omoyemi Akerele
● Power Couple of the Year (Entertainment): Mr Dare & Mrs Deola Art Alade
● Power Couple of the Year (Faith): Banky Wellington & Adesua Etomi-Wellington
● Power Couple of the Year (Politics): Mr Seyi & Mrs Layal Tinubu
● PR Executive of the Year: Dr. Bukky George-Taylor
● Pressman of the Year: Kayode Okikiolu
● Public Servant of the Year: Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
● Real Estate Developer of the Year: Rendeavour’s Alaro City & Managing Director Yomi Ademola
● Resort of the Year: Koko Beach
● SA of the Year (State): Idris Aregbe
● Solid Mineral Personality of The Year (Female): Nere Emiko
● Solid Mineral Personality of The Year (Male): Segun Lawson, Chief Executive Officer at Thor Explorations Ltd
● SSA of the Year (Federal): O’tega Ogra
● Tech Executive of the Year (Female): Olatomiwa Williams
● Theatre Festival of the Year: Bolanle Austen Peters
● Therapist of the Year: Murielle Jean-Michel
● Travel Executive of the Year: Adenike Macaulay
● TV Executive of the Year: Dr. Busola Tejumola
● Unicorn of the Year: Gbenga Agboola
● VC of The Year: Danladi Verheijen, Verod
● Venture Fund of The Year: Ventures Platform Fund, by Dr. Dotun Olowoporoku & Kola Aina
● Venue of the Year: The Library
● Waterways Champion of the Year: Oluwadamilola Emmanuel
● Wellness Executive of the Year: Joycee Awosika, Oriki Group
● Woman of the Year: Olori Atuwatse III
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