From John Silas, Lagos
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Global Transformation and Good Governance Prize by the Millennium Excellence Award USA.
The award was announced in a letter delivered by the Board of Directors of the Millennium Excellence Foundation (MEF), which said Sanwo-Olu was selected following a rigorous process that considered the achievements and developmental trajectory of Lagos State under his leadership.
The letter stated: “The Board has unanimously resolved to confer upon His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu one of the most prestigious honours bestowed under the auspices of the Foundation – the Global Transformation and Good Governance Prize by the Millennium Excellence Award USA.”
The award is being conferred under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene of Kumasi. The monarch is expected to personally present the honour alongside Her Royal Highness Lady Julia, Queen Consort, at the ceremony.
The Millennium Excellence Awards USA recognises outstanding individuals of African heritage and global contributors who have made significant contributions to business, science, arts, philanthropy and public service.
The ceremony is scheduled to hold at the Warner Theatre, Washington D.C., on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with the red carpet commencing at 2:30 p.m.
As part of the event, Sanwo-Olu will deliver a keynote address on positioning Lagos State, described as Africa’s largest sub-national economy, to diaspora communities and attracting investment into urban infrastructure, finance and the state’s pipeline of investment-ready projects.
The governor will also participate in other sessions, including “Government Addresses: The Political Will Behind the Deal,” as well as plenaries and roundtable discussions aimed at strengthening economic and social ties between Lagos and the diaspora.
Past laureates of the Millennium Excellence Awards include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Dr. Kofi Annan, Mo Ibrahim, Professor Wole Soyinka, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu and Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.
