A seasoned administrator who is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Bamanga Usman Jada, has been chosen as the chief executive officer (CEO) Of The Year 2024 by the management of LEADERSHIP Newspapers.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Jada on October 13, 2023.
He is an administrator with a robust educational background in economics and oil and gas operations management; Jada has significantly impacted Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Under his leadership, OGFZA established two major oil and gas free zones in 2024: the 50,000 MT LPG Notore Oil and Gas Free Zone Facility in Onne, Rivers State, projected to attract over $5 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) and create approximately 15,000 jobs; and a 20,000 MT LPG facility in Akwa Ibom State, expected to generate over $10 billion in assets and more than 7,000 jobs.
These initiatives underscore Jada’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s economic landscape to attract strategic foreign direct investments.
Jada’s tenure has also been marked by OGFZA attracting over $24 billion in FDI. His efforts have not gone unnoticed; OGFZA received the Best Federal MDA for Ease of Doing Business Automation award from the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in recognition of his leadership in transforming OGFZA into a model for digital governance within Nigeria’s public sector.
Educated at the Federal University of Technology Yola and the University of Central Lancashire, Jada’s career spans various finance and project management roles within Nigeria’s energy sector. His affiliations with professional institutions reflect his dedication to continuous improvement and governance excellence.
Born on March 2, 1983, in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Jada is married with children and remains committed to public service and national development.
Jada and 25 other distinguished individuals and organisations who have made exceptional contributions to governance, business, social impact, and public service in Nigeria were nominated by the LEADERSHIP Newspapers’ board of editors after extensive deliberations at a meeting held in November 2024 at the company’s headquarters in Abuja.
Jada and other nominees will celebrate their outstanding leadership, vision, and commitment to national development at the LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards ceremony next year.
Alhaji Aliko Mohammad Dangote, Nigeria’s foremost industrialist and philanthropist, won the Person Of
The Year Award for immensely contributing to the nation’s economy. His philanthropic efforts make him a deserving recipient of this highest honour.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, won the 2024 Quinquennial Award For Governance and Infrastructure, a rare recognition by the LEADERSHIP Group Limited.
Also, for 2024, six state governors were jointly nominated for the Governor of the Year award. They are Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno of Akwa Ibom, Mallam Umar A. Namadi of Jigawa State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, and Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke of Osun State.
The governors were recognised for driving sustainable growth, infrastructural development, and policy innovations in their respective states.
Adams Oshiomhole (CON), former Governor of Edo State, won the Politician of the Year award for his political influence in the state, where he frontally led the campaign that led to the emergence of Governor Monday Okpehbolo as the governor and his advocacy for democratic growth in Nigeria.
Benedict Peters, founder and CEO of AITEO, won the Business Person of the Year award for massively investing in Africa’s mining and hydrocarbons sector. In contrast, Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji, GMD/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, clinched the Banker of the Year award for her role in transforming the banking industry.
Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), Comptroller-General of Customs, emerged as the Public Service Person of the Year for his exceptional leadership in improving the efficiency of Nigeria’s Customs Service (NCS).
Other remarkable business leaders, including the CEO of NORD Automobiles Ltd, Oluwatobi Ajayi, won the CEO of the Year award for the Private Sector).
AVSATEL Communications Limited won the Company of the Year award in other award categories, while ARCO Engineering Limited is the Oil & Gas Local Content Champion of the Year.
The Social Impact Person of the Year award will be presented to Olori Ivie Atuwatse III for her tireless efforts in championing education and healthcare initiatives. OPAY won the Fintech Company of the Year award for promoting financial inclusion in Nigeria. At the same time, Alternative Bank clinched the Most Innovative Bank of the Year award for its pioneering work in digital banking.
Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal will be honoured as Environmental Impact Person of the Year for his leadership in advancing environmental policies and addressing climate change.
The Outstanding Young Person of the Year 2024 award will go to the ENACTUS team from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi. They are recognised for championing innovation and sustainability. Terra Cube will receive the Product of the Year award for its innovative solutions in sustainable living.
