Nigeria has honoured expatriate businesses, investors and members of the international community for their contributions to job creation, knowledge transfer, investment and economic development in the country.

The award was unveiled at the 2026 edition of The Expatriates Business Awards (TEBA), held at the Rotunda Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

TEBA hosted by the the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, served as the Chief Host, while the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo had in attendance diplomats, captains of industry, expatriates government officials among others.

In her opening remarks, TEBA Director of Awards, Odunola Abayomi, said the initiative was established to celebrate men and women who had crossed borders, embraced Nigeria, established businesses, created jobs, transferred knowledge and promoted cultural exchange.

She said the awards were more than trophies, describing them as a public recognition of individuals, organisations and communities whose contributions had strengthened the Nigerian economy.

Abayomi said TEBA was also designed to encourage expatriate investors, entrepreneurs and professionals to deepen their engagement in Nigeria, expand their investments and contribute further to the country’s development.

She acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying the partnership demonstrated that TEBA was aligned with Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic engagement with the international community.

The Director of Awards also recognised the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed and Dr Mahmud Adam Kambari, respectively, whom she described as key figures behind the success of the 2026 edition.

The event featured the presentation of awards to individuals and organisations, as well as cultural performances and networking among stakeholders from the diplomatic and business communities.

The award presentation included expatriate man of the year , Expatriate CEO of the year, construction firm of the year, expatriate woman of the year, oil and gas man of the year, heritage embrace, aviation safety champion of the year, expatriate financial institution of the year, emerging entrepreneur of the year.

Others are Electronics company of the year, CSR brand company of the year, cross -over influencer of the year, Diaspora revelation of the year, expatriate group of the year outstanding expatriate of the year, employment friendly expatriate, cross-over actress of the year, cross boarder talent of the year, among other awardees

The evening featured music, comedy and award presentations in what the organisers described as “a vibrant fusion of culture and commerce, where the handshake of diplomacy meets the heartbeat of Nigerian creativity.”