Dangote Refinery, Innoson, Elumelu Foundation Bag TNBTC 2024 Awards

Dangote Refinery has been shortlisted among the winners of the 2024 The Next Big Thing Continental (TNBTC) award, which recognises transformative impact on Nigeria’s industrial landscape.

Besides the Dangote refinery, others listed for the awards include Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Tony Elumelu Foundation, Human Rights Radio (Brekete Family), Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and his Jigawa State counterpart, Namadi Umar among others.

According to the organisers, the ceremony, scheduled for January 23 and 24, seeks to inspire technological development, foster innovation, and achieve excellence in resource management for wealth creation, industrial growth, and continental development.

The event is a collaborative initiative of Cosmopolitan University and Digital Oxygen Hub, the organisers said in a statement on Tuesday by vice chancellor of Cosmopolitan University, Prof. Carl Adams, and chairman, Digital Oxygen Hub, Dr. Ralphs Nwosu, (who also doubles as president, The Next Big Thing).

They stressed that Nigeria and Africa has recorded impressive developments in spite of numerous challenges and security concerns.

They noted that the ceremony will also include a summit on Artificial Intelligent (AI) in light of a drive to redefine Africa’s future in the global tech ecosystem.

“Across various sectors, Nigerians and Africans continue to break new ground, delivering inspiring work in creative, innovative, and human development spaces.

“Big ideas, global thinking, and transformative leadership are reshaping the landscapes of Nigeria and Africa,” the statement noted.

It continued, “With rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and emerging technologies, the world is evolving at an unprecedented pace.

“For Nigeria and the broader African continent to thrive in this ever-changing landscape, collaboration, innovation, and the right investment in talent and infrastructure are essential.

“TNBTC 2024 serves as a platform to galvanise these efforts and position Africa as a global leader in tech and innovation,” it said.

They noted that the Dangote Refinery, which became operational in 2024, “marks one of Nigeria’s most transformative projects in decades, bound to have a phenomenal impact on the economy.”

While they recognised Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing for producing Nigeria’s first locally made CNG-powered vehicles and reducing import dependence and promoting economic self-sufficiency, Tony Elumelu Foundation was picked for empowering over 18,000 entrepreneurs across 54 African countries through training, mentorship, and funding, “fostering economic growth and job creation across the continent.”