Times Heroes Award (THA) Council has unveiled names of 90 individuals and entities nominated by Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora for awards as part of the centenary celebration of Nigeria’s foremost newspaper, The Daily Times (DTN).

The award categories, unveiled last Thursday during a media briefing at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, include DTN @100 Man of the Century, Woman of the Century, Africa Rising Award, Global Icon, Climate Responsibility, Social Impact, Community Development, Bank of the Year, Manufacturing Company of the Year, Outstanding Governors and Ministers, among others.

Chairman of THA Council, Bolaji Okusaga, said the awards were conceived to celebrate Nigerians and institutions whose contributions have shaped the nation’s history over the past century.

According to him, President John Mahama of Ghana, Zambian President, former Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan; Atiku Abubakar, Aliko Dangote, Zenith Bank CEO, Senator Ali Mdume and others, including some serving and former leaders, are among the over 86 names nominated in the 35 categories.

He said the awards reflect the newspaper’s enduring legacy of documenting Nigeria’s evolution since its establishment and its commitment to recognising excellence across governance, business, media, public service, gender advocacy and other sectors.

“Daily Times has been in the business of not just news gathering, but also serving as the conscience of the nation,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper played a significant role in Nigeria’s journey from colonial rule to independence and had continued to chronicle the country’s development.

Earlier in his welcome address, Executive Secretary of the Council, Bonaventure Melah, said the awards ceremony, slated for September 3, 2026, is designed to honour outstanding individuals, institutions, firms and other entities that have impacted the society positively through quality leadership and service to communities and Nigeria in general.

Melah said the award is being planned and implemented in a most transparent manner to ensure it becomes the most credible one in the nation’s history, and therefore a model for others to emulate.

He, however, said that one of the award categories is the DTN @100 Journalist of the Year, which would attract N10 million to the winner, stating that the winner of that category would be decided by journalists themselves, urging them to key into the dedicated website and vote.

He described Daily Times centenary as a milestone that would reconnect Nigerians with their shared history, values and democratic ideals, saying that it will bring back the Nigerian consciousness to the citizens, while veterans like Babatunde Jose, Segun Osoba, Onyema Ugochukwu and others would be honoured.

Melah said that voting had commenced and would last for three weeks after which final winners would be announced.

He urged the public to go to www.timesheroesawards.com to vote for those they consider most qualified for the categories already nominated.