The 7th edition of the Lord’s Achievers Awards celebrated young leaders, innovators, and changemakers under this year’s theme: Icons of Impact. Launched in 2019, the annual recognition platform honours young Nigerians whose works and initiatives demonstrate excellence, innovation, leadership, and societal impact across diverse sectors.
The 2025 edition of the Lord’s Achievers Awards lit up The Monarch Events Centre in Lagos. On the stage, under the banner Icons of Impact, young Nigerians whose work is reshaping industries prepared to be honoured. But beyond the applause of one night, the real story of the Lord’s Achievers Awards lies in the journeys that began years before, in ideas that grew into movements, and in the legacy of achievers who continue to open doors for others.
The making of a movement
Launched in 2019 and powered by Lord’s London Dry Gin, the Lord’s Achievers Awards was created to recognise and amplify young Nigerians who embody excellence, innovation, and societal impact. The vision was to celebrate those who are not just achieving for themselves but also inspiring change around them.
Over the past six editions, that vision has matured into a platform with legacy, building a relay of impact, generation after generation. More than 70 achievers have been honoured, and their stories reflect the ripple effect of recognition.
Layi Wasabi, celebrated for comedy, has since grown into one of the country’s most defining satirical voices. Adejoke Lasisi, who turned waste into fashion, is now an international advocate for sustainability. Kennedy Ekezie-Joseph has built companies that span continents. Segun Adegoke has expanded technology’s reach to new communities.
Lord’s London Dry Gin, through its parent Nigeria Distilleries Limited, has built the Awards as a deliberate investment in Nigeria’s youth.
Marketing Manager Oluwagbemileke Lawal said it plainly: “The Lord’s Achievers Awards is more than an event; it is an investment in Nigeria’s future.” Senior Brand Manager Olusegun Akinyemiju added: “True leadership is not about titles, but about the impact we leave behind.”
The icons of 2025
This year’s honourees, recognised across 12 categories, reflect the scope of Nigerian ambition.
Tosin Eniolorunda (Innovation & Technology) is the founder and Group CEO of Moniepoint Inc., a fintech platform driving financial inclusion for SMEs. A former Interswitch engineer, he has won multiple honours, including Outstanding Fintech Personality of the Year 2024, and supports STEM education through youth-focused initiatives.
Jennifer Awirigwe (Finance), popularly known as Financial Jennifer, is an investment banker and founder of FinTribe, Africa’s largest women-only finance community. She has guided over 20,000 women to save and invest more than ₦1 billion, making her a leading voice in financial literacy and women’s wealth empowerment.
Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson (Health and Wellness) is the founder of Healthtracka, a health-tech startup providing at-home diagnostics and digital test results. With operations in 12 Nigerian states, the platform has delivered thousands of tests and partnerships that expand access to vital screenings like HPV kits and COVID-19 testing.
Samson Ogbole (Agriculture), founder of Soilless Farm Lab, is pioneering climate-smart agriculture through innovative soilless farming. His work promotes food security and youth empowerment, having trained over 8,000 young Nigerians in sustainable agriculture through partnerships like the Mastercard Foundation.
Temilade Tolulope Osinfade “T.T Dalk” (Fashion & Lifestyle) is the founder and Creative Director of T.T Dalk, a Nigerian footwear and leather accessories brand known for its craftsmanship and accessible luxury. Since 2008, he has built the label into a recognised name in fashion, inspiring young designers and championing quality and cultural pride.
Victory Ashaka (Literature) is a Lagos-based spoken-word poet, climate advocate, and youth leader who blends art with activism. A former Poet Laureate at the World Food Forum, he has performed on global stages and serves on youth platforms with UNICEF and the EU, inspiring civic engagement and environmental action.
Tobi Ayeni (Content Creation), known as MissTechy, is a leading Nigerian tech content creator who makes technology accessible through engaging reviews and storytelling. Since 2015, she has built a strong digital presence, collaborated with global brands, and champions digital inclusion, AI localisation, and cybersecurity awareness for young Nigerians.
Kaliné Njoku (Film & Entertainment) is a Nigerian Afro-soul singer, songwriter, and film composer whose work blends soul, jazz, Afrobeat, and highlife. With credits on films like The Royal Hibiscus Hotel and Isoken, she also mentors emerging artists through her platform, A Musician in Lagos.
Damilola Onafuwa (Visual Arts) is a documentary photographer and founder of StoryMaxima, using visual storytelling to spotlight overlooked communities and social issues. Through projects and campaigns, he humanises vulnerable groups and mentors young creatives, equipping them to tell authentic African stories.
Debbie Larry-Izamoje (Media and Journalism) is the CEO of Brila Media Group, Nigeria’s pioneering sports radio turned multimedia platform. She has led its transformation into a digital-first brand with streaming, podcasts, and online journalism that engage millions of fans across Nigeria and the diaspora.
Tunde Onakoya (Social Development) is the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, using chess to educate and empower disadvantaged children. Since 2018, he has reached over 10,000 kids across Lagos communities, secured scholarships for many, and recently broke the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Asisat Oshoala (Sports) is a five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year and the first African woman to score in a UEFA Women’s Champions League final. Now playing for Bay FC, she empowers young girls through the Asisat Oshoala Foundation, combining sporting excellence with social impact.
A landmark first
The 2025 edition also introduced something new: the Lord of the City Award. It honours past honourees who continue to blaze the trail and stand out regionally or internationally. Its first recipient, Ife Durosinmi-Etti, is no stranger to the Awards. A past honouree, she returned to the stage after making history at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, where her campaign on breastmilk financing won three Silver Lions.
Guardians of credibility
The credibility of any award rests on how winners are chosen. For the Lord’s Achievers Awards, a distinguished jury anchors that process.
This year’s panel featured key players from multiple industries: Stephanie Busari of CNN Africa, Chuka Obi of Globacom, Titilope Adesanya of EMPIRE, Wole Odetayo of Southwest Innovation and Tech, Femi Taiwo of F.I.T Africa, Ladun Awobokun of FilmOne, and Chinyere Inya of Accelerate Africa and Future Africa.
Alongside them were Oluwagbemileke Lawal and Olusegun Akinyemiju from Nigeria Distilleries Limited, and Oluwaseun Olaniyan of The Influence Agency. They assessed creativity, leadership, and societal contribution, ensuring that each honouree was chosen for verifiable excellence.
Beyond the awards
Nigerian celebrations are hardly complete without music, and the night offered performances that reflected the Awards’ energy. Seeing Through the Arts (STAR), Band Tronic, Loud Choir, Qing Madi, Fido, Do2dtun, and Shoday brought rhythm and fire to the event.”
More than a title, ‘Icons of Impact’ is a bold statement about the kind of leadership Nigeria needs. The 2025 honourees represent courage, creativity, and resilience; stitched together, these qualities tell a story bigger than awards. They tell the story of a country moving forward through its youth.
As this year’s icons of the Lord’s Achievers Awards join the alumni, the legacy of impact multiplies. In celebrating excellence, we raise the bar for everyone. Follow @lordachieversawards to stay in touch.
