By Onilede Titi Faith
Abuja came alive on August 14, 2025, as the 10th African Iconic Awards honoured some of the continent’s most outstanding entrepreneurs, executives, innovators, and community leaders.
Hosted at the Transcorp Hilton and organised by Face of African Concept, the milestone edition marked a decade of recognising Africans whose work drives positive change and uplifts communities.
The ceremony, themed “True African Leaders: The Power of the African Youth in Leadership”, featured fine dining, networking, and cultural showcases, with a strong focus on investing in Africa’s young population.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Omowumi Ogunrotimi, former Deputy Director of the AU-ECOSOCC Sectoral Committee on Women and Gender, highlighted that Africa’s youth, who comprise over 70% of the population, remain the continent’s most valuable yet underutilised resource. She urged governments and institutions to dismantle exclusionary systems and involve young people in key decision-making roles.
Convener and Project Manager Ambassador Abraham Lawal reflected on the awards’ decade-long journey, noting the importance of recognising individuals who consistently demonstrate excellence.
“Celebrating these remarkable people is rewarding, but it also reminds us that the true prize for good work is the responsibility to do more,” he said.
The 2025 honourees represented a diverse mix of sectors, from business and philanthropy to arts, education, and advocacy.
Among those recognised were Engr. Dr. Dominic Onuh Akubor, Dr. Alex Nwankwo (CEO, Amity Global Network), Thola Jiba Sibutha (CEO, Microzone Trading 747), Ambassador Sikiru Omogbolahan Adisa Bobby Oseni (CEO, S.G Multi National Investment Ltd LLC), and Ambassador Cynthia Ejiroghene Edudje (CEO, Kumcyn Global Consultancy Ltd), alongside many other achievers making an impact locally and internationally.
The evening celebrated not only individual milestones but also a collective vision for an Africa where leadership, innovation, and community impact are nurtured and allowed to thrive.
