The 2025 edition of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Awards and Dinner Night held in Lagos celebrated African excellence, spotlighting individuals and institutions making remarkable contributions across entertainment, media, business, governance and culture.
The ceremony, hosted at The Library, Lagos, reinforced the city’s growing status as a centre for African creativity, leadership and diaspora engagement. Industry leaders, creatives, policymakers and cultural figures gathered for an evening dedicated to recognising global African impact.
Among the headline winners, music star Davido was named Artist of the Year, while celebrated comedian Bovi Ugboma clinched Comedian of the Year. Arise News anchor Ojy Okpe received the News Anchor of the Year award, underscoring her influence in broadcast journalism.
Media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu was honoured as Media Personality of the Year, while actress Juliet Ibrahim won Actor of the Year (Female). Music icon D’banj also received recognition, winning Music Platform of the Year for his creative enterprise, C.R.E.A.M.
Literary giant Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was celebrated as Author of the Year, reflecting her continued global influence in literature and thought leadership. In film, Funke Akindele’s blockbuster Everybody Loves Jenifa emerged as Blockbuster Movie of the Year, while Omoni Oboli’s Love in Every Word 1 & 2 was named Movie of the Year, highlighting the international reach of African storytelling.
The event also recognised the MIPAD Class of 2025, alongside Nigerian honourees from previous editions who were unable to attend earlier ceremonies held in New York. Organisers described the evening as a convergence of excellence, impact and African pride.
Selected Highlights from the 2025 Winners List
- Activist of the Year: Opeyemi Adamolekun
- Actor of the Year (Male): Deyemi Okanlawon
- Afrobeat Artist of the Year: Mádé Kuti
- Airline of the Year (Africa): Air Peace
- Blockbuster Movie of the Year: Everybody Loves Jenifa – Funke Akindele
- Business Man of the Year: Ahonsi Unuigbe
- Business Woman of the Year: Owen Omogiafo, OON
- CEO of the Year: Karl Toriola
- 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
- Man of the Year: Adewale Tinubu
- Minister of the Year: Hannatu Musawa
- Podcast of the Year: MENtality – Ebuka Obi-Uchendu & Banky W
- Woman of the Year: Olori Atuwatse III
The full awards list spanned over 100 categories, recognising achievements in technology, finance, arts, climate advocacy, public service, lifestyle, media and entrepreneurship.
As the night drew to a close, organisers described the 2025 edition as one of the most expansive in the awards’ history, celebrating African excellence not only within the continent but across the global diaspora.
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