Tinubu, Tunji-Ojo, Ojulari, 6 Governors Make Aljazirah 2025 Honours List

By Eneole Otorkpa, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, NNPC Limited Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, and six state governors have been named among recipients of the Aljazirah Personality of the Year Awards 2025.

The awards, organised by AljazirahNigeria/London Newspapers, recognise leaders and public figures for contributions to leadership, public service, entrepreneurship, governance and national development, according to a statement issued by the Chairman of the Award Committee, Ibrahim Abubakar.

The organisers said the awards were designed to promote excellence, integrity, innovation and visionary leadership while encouraging individuals whose contributions have advanced society.

Tunji-Ojo emerged as the Minister of the Year for what the organisers described as transformative leadership at the Ministry of Interior.

He was recognised for reforms in passport processing, border surveillance, identity verification and correctional administration.

According to the organisers, the reforms have improved service delivery, institutional efficiency and the deployment of digital innovation in the ministry.

They said the initiatives had also contributed to enhanced national security and increased public confidence in government services.

Seyi Tinubu was named Distinguished Humanitarian Service/Entrepreneur of the Year.

The organisers said Tinubu had carved an independent identity through entrepreneurship, philanthropy and youth advocacy despite coming from a prominent political family.

He was particularly recognised for youth-focused humanitarian initiatives, including educational support, community outreach and empowerment programmes.

The award committee said his interventions reflected a commitment to equipping young Nigerians with opportunities to become self-reliant and productive.

Ike-Muonso gets public servant award

Prof Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council was named Government Agency/Public Servant of the Year.

The organisers said his leadership had contributed to advancing Nigeria’s raw materials development agenda through innovation, value addition and increased economic opportunities.

They said his efforts supported the broader drive towards local production, industrial development and economic transformation.

Ojulari named Africa CEO of Year

Bashir Ojulari of NNPC Limited was recognised as Africa’s CEO of the Year.

The award committee cited his more than three decades of technocratic experience and his role in the transformation of NNPC Limited.

His administration was commended for focusing on commercial discipline, restoration of joint-venture operations and investments in deep-water projects.

The organisers also highlighted his role in advancing Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” agenda through infrastructure projects, including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline.

Six governors honoured

The awards also recognised six governors for what the organisers described as notable achievements in infrastructure, governance, security, agriculture and human capital development.

The governors are Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State.

Oborevwori was recognised for implementing his M.O.R.E. Agenda, with emphasis on infrastructure development, institutional strengthening and inclusive governance.

Fubara was honoured for prudent fiscal management, infrastructure development and institutional reforms aimed at improving public services and the socio-economic landscape of Rivers State.

Sani was recognised for promoting stability, justice, equity and peaceful coexistence in Kaduna State, as well as investments in education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.

Kefas was honoured for initiatives including the fight against illegal mining, free and compulsory basic education, the provision of more than 950 tractors for agriculture and the engagement of 10,000 citizens in sanitation activities.

The organisers also cited his security-focused approach and efforts to strengthen Taraba’s security architecture.

Diri was recognised for infrastructure development, human capital investment, institutional strengthening and improved delivery of essential services in Bayelsa State.

Bago, meanwhile, was honoured for his administration’s focus on agricultural transformation, infrastructure, economic expansion and human capital development.

The organisers said his emphasis on agriculture and large-scale investments was aimed at positioning Niger State as a major contributor to food security and economic growth.

The awards committee said the 2025 edition reflected AljazirahNigeria/London Newspapers’ commitment to recognising individuals whose work continues to influence society and contribute to national development.