The Organising Council of the Daily Times Nigeria Centenary (DTN@100) Heroes Awards has announced the recipients of four special honours, recognising outstanding individuals and institutions for their contributions to national development, sustainability, social impact and global economic engagement.
The announcement is part of activities marking the DTN@100 Conference, Grand Book Unveiling and Times Heroes Awards, commemorating 100 years of Daily Times Nigeria and celebrating the newspaper’s contributions to journalism, national discourse and nation-building.
The awards recognise exceptional achievements in the National Global Champion Award, National Development Award, Sustainability Award and Social Impact Award categories.
Chairman of the DTN@100 Organising Council, Bolaji Okusaga, said the awards were established to honour individuals and organisations whose leadership, innovation and service have made lasting contributions to Nigeria’s development.
He noted that the awards celebrate achievements that extend beyond personal success to create measurable impact on communities, industries and the nation.
According to him, the awards have become one of the defining legacies of the Daily Times centenary celebrations by preserving and recognising the stories of outstanding Nigerians and institutions shaping the country’s development.
The Organising Council announced Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadu, OON, President of the Nigeria Arabian Gulf Chamber of Commerce (NAGCC), as the recipient of the National Global Champion Award.
The Council said Ahmadu was honoured for his leadership in advancing Nigeria’s global economic engagement and strengthening trade and investment partnerships between Nigeria and the Arabian Gulf region. His contributions to enterprise development, economic diplomacy and cross-border investment have enhanced Nigeria’s international competitiveness and promoted sustainable economic growth.
The National Development Award was presented to Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry (BOI), for his role in promoting industrialisation, enterprise development, job creation and inclusive economic growth.
The Council noted that under Olusi’s leadership, the Bank of Industry has expanded access to finance for businesses, strengthened local manufacturing, empowered entrepreneurs and accelerated Nigeria’s industrial transformation.
Similarly, Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, National Project Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Programme, received the DTN@100 Sustainability Award.
The award recognises his leadership in implementing one of Nigeria’s most ambitious climate resilience and landscape restoration initiatives. The World Bank-supported programme has restored degraded ecosystems, enhanced agricultural resilience, promoted environmental sustainability and improved livelihoods across participating states.
The Social Impact Award was conferred on Professor Oyelaran Oyeyinka in recognition of his outstanding contributions to public policy, innovation, knowledge development and inclusive socio-economic transformation across Africa.
The Council commended Oyeyinka’s decades of service in academia, international development and policy advisory, describing his work as instrumental in strengthening institutions and advancing inclusive growth across the continent.
Speaking on the selection process, Okusaga said the Awards Board conducted a rigorous and independent assessment based on measurable impact, transformational leadership, innovation and sustained contributions to national development.
“The recipients announced today exemplify excellence, integrity and visionary leadership, and their achievements deserve national recognition,” he said.
The Organising Council also announced that public voting remains open for the Financial Innovation Award, encouraging Nigerians at home and abroad to participate in recognising organisations driving innovation and expanding access to financial services.
Okusaga stressed that public participation remains central to the credibility and inclusiveness of the awards, describing the initiative as one that belongs to all Nigerians.
The DTN@100 Conference, Grand Book Unveiling and Times Heroes Awards will hold on September 3, 2026, at the THISDAY Dome, Central Business District, Abuja, where the award recipients will be formally honoured before an audience of government officials, policymakers, business leaders, diplomats, development partners and other distinguished guests.
The event will also feature the unveiling of the Nigeria Grand Book, a commemorative publication documenting the achievements of individuals, institutions and organisations that have significantly shaped Nigeria’s political, economic and social development over the past century.
