The Daily Times Nigeria has unveiled the final list of distinguished Nigerians and institutions selected for recognition at the DTN@100 Times Heroes Awards, as the newspaper prepares to mark its centenary with a ceremony in Abuja on Thursday.

The final list was announced by the Chairman of the DTN@100 Heroes Awards Council, Bolaji Okusaga, at a press conference in Lagos ahead of the September 3 ceremony scheduled to hold at the THISDAY Dome, Abuja.

The awards form part of activities marking the centenary of The Daily Times, which began publication in 1926 and has chronicled Nigeria’s political, economic, social and cultural development over the past century.

According to Okusaga, the awards were conceived to preserve national memory and recognise individuals and institutions whose leadership, enterprise, public service, courage and innovation have contributed to Nigeria’s development.

“The Daily Times has spent 100 years documenting the Nigerian story. Through the DTN@100 Heroes Awards, we are taking that responsibility a step further by documenting and celebrating the people and institutions that have helped to write that story through their service, leadership, enterprise and impact,” he said.

He added that the final list reflects contributions across governance, politics, business, public administration, technology, energy, development, climate action, community leadership, diplomacy, social impact and enterprise.

“These are not simply awards for prominence. They are recognitions of impact. They speak to what individuals and institutions have contributed to the growth, resilience and transformation of Nigeria and, in several cases, to Africa and the wider global community,” Okusaga said.

Among those to receive Prestige Honours are President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Presidents Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo; and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Others are Ambassador Dele Cole, former Managing Director of The Daily Times and Nigerian Ambassador; Aremo Segun Osoba, former Managing Director of The Daily Times and former Governor of Ogun State; Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, former Managing Director of The Daily Times and Director, Tanus Communications Limited; and Chief Tola Adeniyi, former Chairman/Chief Executive of The Daily Times and author.

The list also includes Mr. Onyema Ugochukwu, former Editor of The Daily Times and pioneer Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission; Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, former Editor of The Daily Times and founder of The Vanguard Newspaper; and Chief Mrs. Grace Oyelude, the first Miss Nigeria, crowned in 1957.

The Council said the recognition of the personalities reflected the centenary’s commitment to honouring individuals whose careers intersected with significant chapters in Nigeria’s national and institutional development.

Former President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, will receive the Global Impact Award.

Adesina has also confirmed his attendance at the ceremony as keynote speaker, where he is expected to speak on Africa’s development trajectory, green growth, food security and the next generation of impact.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will receive the Public Impact Person of the Decade Award, while the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, will receive the Community Impact Award.

Founder of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, will be recognised as Business Icon of the Century.

Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadu, Executive Chairman/CEO of Online Integrated Solutions Limited, will receive the Nigeria Global Champion Award, while Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, will be honoured as Person of the Year.

Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Karl Olutokun Toriola, will receive the Digital Company of the Decade Award.

In the legislative and public policy category, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, will receive the Lawmaker of the Year Award for the House of Representatives, while Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, will receive the corresponding award for the Senate.

Chairman/CEO of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, will receive the Government Agency of the Year Award.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, will be honoured as Minister of the Decade, while Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Bashir A. Adeniyi, MFR, will receive the Public Officer of the Year Award.

The national development category will recognise Managing Director/CEO of the Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, with the National Development Award, while Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, Chairman of the Trade Modernisation Project, will receive the Transformative Project of the Year Award.

In the energy and enterprise sectors, High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Limited, will receive the Changemaker Award.

Prof. Anthony O. Adegbulugbe, MD/CEO of Green Energy International Limited, will receive the Energy Company of the Decade Award, while Mr. Adebowale Olujimi, Group Managing Director/CEO of Emadeb Energy Group, will receive the Energy Company of the Year Award.

Dr. Aisha Sulaimon Achimugu, OFR, Chief Executive Officer of Felak Concept Group, will also receive a Changemaker Award.

Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director/CEO of NIGCOMSAT, will be honoured with the Enterprise Award, while Engr. Jennifer Adighije, Managing Director/CEO of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, will receive another Changemaker Award.

Recognition for sustainability, climate action and social development will go to Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, who will receive the Sustainability Award; Omotenioye Majekodunmi, Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, who will receive the Climate Responsibility Award; and Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Senior Special Adviser on Industrialisation at the African Development Bank, who will receive the Social Impact Award.

Mr. Nathan Nwachuku, Co-Founder/CEO of Terra Industries, and City Walk Abuja will also receive Changemaker Awards.

In the political leadership category, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, will receive the Politician of the Year Award.

Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, CON, will receive the Governor of the Decade Award, while Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Mohammed Umar Bago, will receive the Governor of the Year Award.

The Council will also recognise governors across the six geopolitical zones.

Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, will receive the Outstanding Governor, South South Award; Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, will receive the Outstanding Governor, South East Award; Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal, will receive the Outstanding Governor, North West Award.

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, CON, will receive the Outstanding Governor, South West Award; Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, will receive the Outstanding Governor, North East Award; while Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, will receive the Outstanding Governor, North Central Award.

The Council said the recognition of governors across the six geopolitical zones underscored the importance of sub-national leadership and development to Nigeria’s national progress.

In the parliamentary category, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, GCON, will receive the Parliamentary Personality of the Decade Award.

Former Senate Presidents David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark, GCON, and Abubakar Bukola Saraki, MBBS, CON, as well as Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, will receive Parliamentary Development Awards.

Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, CFR, will also receive a Parliamentary Development Award.

The Trailblazer Award will go to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Barrister Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, while Dr. (Mrs.) Olayinka Fayomi, Group Chairperson of Foreign Investment Network, will receive the Global Investment Leadership and Economic Diplomacy Award.

Okusaga said the centenary was an opportunity not only to celebrate The Daily Times but also to reflect on Nigeria’s journey and the contributions of individuals and institutions to the country’s development.

“At 100, The Daily Times is not only looking backwards. We are looking forward. We are asking what kind of Nigeria we want to build over the next 100 years, and who are the people whose courage, ideas, innovation and leadership will help us get there,” he said.

A major highlight of the centenary programme will be the unveiling and launch of the Nigerian Centenary Book of Changemakers – Magnum Opus, a commemorative publication designed to preserve the stories, achievements and contributions of distinguished Nigerians and institutions.

The September 3 ceremony is expected to bring together senior government officials, former heads of state, political leaders, business executives, traditional rulers, diplomats, development leaders, media practitioners and other distinguished Nigerians.

The Daily Times has previously described its centenary as a celebration of “100 years of fearless journalism, championing the future, 1926–2026,” reflecting the newspaper’s focus on its historic legacy and the future of journalism and national development.