On a Lagos evening set aside for recognition, the Sun Awards gather in their 24th year under the theme 'Nation Builders' to honour forty-five people whose work across politics, business, security, entertainment and public service is said to have advanced Nigeria's development and stability. It is a ritual of public gratitude, where a society pauses to name those who have carried its burdens, even as the honours themselves invite the familiar question of who gets seen and why. The ceremony is broadcast live, so the act of recognition becomes a shared moment as much as a private one.
The Sun Awards 2026 Set to Honour 45 'Nation Builders' in Lagos Tomorrow Evening
Forty-five honourees, one theme: Nation Builders
Mark
Forty-five honourees is a lot. What's the shape of the list?
Mimi
Heavily official. Seven governors, two ministers, several legislators, heads of agencies like the ports authority and the DSS, then business owners, a musician, a golf promoter and a traditional ruler.
Mark
And the Nigerian Hero Award is back this year.
Mimi
Yes, going to Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, an autistic Guinness World Records holder recognised for art and advocacy on autism.
Luke
Worth noting who is describing the winners as nation builders: The Sun itself, which is also the host. The selection criteria are stated only in general terms.
Mark
So we don't know how the 45 were chosen?
Luke
Not from this report. It says leadership, innovation, enterprise and service, but not who judged or how.
Mimi
The chairman, Sir Okeowo, did praise the paper for recognising Nigerians who contribute to development.
Luke
That's a courtesy remark, not evidence about the process. Also, attendance is stated by management as confirmed, but it's the organiser's claim until the night itself.
Mark
Anything else to watch?
Mimi
The broadcast on Arise News TV and Channels TV, from 7pm at Eko Hotels.
Luke
And whether the winners actually show up as promised.
El Pulso
- Forty-five honourees are set to be named in a single Lagos evening, with the spotlight falling on governors, ministers, security chiefs and entertainers alike.
- The return of the Nigerian Hero Award to an autistic Guinness World Records holder adds a sharp emotional turn to an otherwise formal program.
- Organisers have confirmed that winners, dignitaries and hosts will attend, with Okeowo chairing and the stage set for a 7pm start at Eko Hotels.
- Live broadcast on Arise News and Channels TV turns the awards into a national platform, carrying recognition well beyond the ballroom.
On a Lagos evening set aside for recognition, the Sun Awards gather in their 24th year under the theme 'Nation Builders' to honour forty-five people whose work across politics, business, security, entertainment and public service is said to have advanced Nigeria's development and stability. It is a ritual of public gratitude, where a society pauses to name those who have carried its burdens, even as the honours themselves invite the familiar question of who gets seen and why. The ceremony is broadcast live, so the act of recognition becomes a shared moment as much as a private one.
Tomorrow evening, the Expo Convention Centre at Eko Hotels and Suites on Victoria Island will host the 24th Sun Awards, scheduled to begin at 7pm and broadcast live on Arise News TV and Channels TV. This year's theme is "Nation Builders," and forty-five people will be honoured for leadership, innovation, enterprise and service.
The list spans the country's public life. Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma receives Man of the Year, six governors share Governor of the Year, and DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi is recognised for courage in leadership. The legislature, finance, business, hospitality and royal families are all represented, alongside humanitarians and sports figures. Musician Flavour takes Creative Icon, and Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, an autistic Guinness World Records holder whose art and advocacy have reached far beyond Nigeria, receives the Nigerian Hero Award.
Chairing the event is Sir Okeowo of Gibraltar Construction, who said he accepted because he admires The Sun's choice to single out Nigerians contributing to the country's growth. Seun Oyedeji and Niyi Ojemakinde will host, and the full roll of winners will take the stage in Lagos.
The Expo Convention Centre at Eko Hotels and Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos, is the venue for The Sun Awards tomorrow evening. The ceremony, the 24th edition, is due to start at 7pm prompt, according to the management of The Sun Publishing Limited. It will be shown live from start to finish on Arise News TV and Channels TV.
The 2026 theme is "Nation Builders." Forty-five people are to be honoured, drawn from politics, governance, public service, business, security, entertainment, sports and philanthropy. The newspaper says they were chosen for leadership, innovation, enterprise and service, and that their work has contributed to Nigeria's development, stability and progress. Management also says the winners, among them governors, ministers and business people, have confirmed they will attend, along with invited dignitaries.
Sir Okeowo, Chief Executive Officer of Gibraltar Construction Nigeria Limited, will chair the event. Seun Oyedeji of Silverbird TV and Niyi Ojemakinde will host. Okeowo said he accepted the chairmanship because he has followed the awards and wanted to commend The Sun for singling out Nigerians who contribute to the country's development.
In politics and government, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma is to receive Man of the Year. Six governors will share Governor of the Year: Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Uba Sani of Kaduna and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi. Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, First Lady of Zamfara State, takes First Lady of the Year, and Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services, gets the Courage in Leadership Award. Information Minister Mohammed Idris and Education Minister Tunji Alausa share Minister of the Year.
The legislature is well represented. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele is Senator of the Year, and former Zamfara governor Abdulaziz Yari receives Political Icon of the Year. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu is named Most Innovative Legislator, and Muktar Aliyu Betara, who represents a Borno State constituency, is House of Representatives Member of the Year. Lifetime Achievement Awards go to Senator Gbenga Daniel, Archbishop Margaret Benson-Idahosa of the Church of God Mission International, Teju Phillips (former Lasaco Assurance chairman), Senator Jim Nwobodo and former APC national chairman Abdullahi Ganduje.
Public Service Personality Awards go to four officials: Abubakar Dantsoho of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Aminu Maida of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Sonny Echono of TETFund, and Kunemofa Asu of the NDDC. In finance, UBA's Group Managing Director Oliver Alawuba is Banker of the Year, Access Bank Plc is Bank of the Year, and the National Automotive Design and Development Council, led by Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, is Parastatal of the Year.
Business categories are crowded. Real Estate Icon goes to Samuel Ajose of Levitikal Group and Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac of Homadil Realty. Joseph Ukeji and George Obi are Entrepreneurs of the Year. Sunday Ephraim Ezeobiora and Anthony Obele are Investors of the Year. Williams Agbo, Ikenna Ekeagu and Badamasi Burji are Industrialists of the Year. Hospitality Icon goes to Kester Okike Agwu of Tastia Restaurants and RemiChris Nwagbo of BON Octagon Hotel, Abuja. Chima Christian, co-founder of Teva Foods Limited, takes the Young Achiever Award.
Outside politics and commerce, the musician Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli, known as Flavour, receives Creative Icon of the Year. Golf promoter Leo Edochie is Sports Personality of the Year. Friday Nwabueze Umeh of the Ofiafuluego Foundation and Abraham Ikechukwu Otti are Humanitarian Service Icons. The Igwe of Ogidi, Alexander Uzo Onyido, is Royal Father of the Year.
The return of the Nigerian Hero Award is billed as a highlight. It goes to Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, an autistic Nigerian Guinness World Records holder whose art and advocacy have drawn international attention to Autism Spectrum Disorder. The ceremony begins at 7pm tomorrow, with the full list of winners due to take the stage in Lagos.
Citas Notables
I have followed The Sun Awards and must commend you for taking out time to single out Nigerians who are contributing to the country's development for recognition.— Sir Okeowo, ceremony chairman
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