Awolowo Foundation opens nominations for 2026 Leadership Prize

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The Obafemi Awolowo Foundation has opened nominations for the 2026 edition of the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.

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The foundation also introduced new Sectoral Leadership Awards aimed at recognising individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity and commitment to public service.

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In a statement obtained by Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, the foundation, said nominations for the prestigious biennial leadership prize would be received from August 1 to October 31, 2026, while entries for the newly introduced awards would close on September 30, 2026.

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According to the foundation, the awards are designed to preserve and promote the enduring Awolowo’s leadership ideals by recognising individuals whose contributions have transformed lives through visionary, ethical and people-centred leadership.

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It stated that the leadership prize honours individuals whose records in public service, business, civil society and other sectors reflect values such as integrity, accountability, discipline, respect for the rule of law and measurable impact on society.

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“The awards seek not only to recognise exceptional achievement but also to promote a culture of ethical, visionary and people-centred leadership at a time when Nigeria, Africa and the wider world continue to confront complex governance and development challenges,” the statement read.

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The foundation explained that particular consideration would be given to nominees whose work has advanced education, healthcare, economic development, social justice, poverty reduction and other initiatives that improve public welfare.

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It also encouraged the nomination of qualified women, describing inclusive leadership as critical to sustainable national development.

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The foundation said the newly established Sectoral Leadership Awards complement the existing leadership prize and will recognise outstanding leadership across four categories: Public Service; Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility; Educational Transformation; and People-Centred Advocacy and Support for the Underprivileged.

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According to the foundation, nominees may come from Nigeria, elsewhere in Africa or any part of the world, provided they have demonstrated sustained, values-driven leadership with measurable and transformative impact.

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It said nominees would be assessed on the basis of integrity, strength of character, visionary leadership, innovation, institution-building, commitment to justice and the common good, as well as their ability to inspire others through sustained service.

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The foundation noted that nominations could be submitted by professional bodies, universities, research institutions, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, corporate organisations, public institutions, previous recipients of the leadership prize and other qualified individuals and organisations.

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It, however, stressed that self-nominations would not be accepted and that all entries must be accompanied by supporting documentation demonstrating the nominee’s leadership achievements and impact.

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The foundation added that the Sectoral Leadership Awards would be presented biennially, with no more than one recipient in each category, noting that awards would only be conferred where nominees meet the required standard of excellence.

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Established following the Foundation’s 2011 dialogue on Transformational Leadership and Good Governance, the Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ Prize for Leadership has become one of Nigeria’s foremost honours for individuals whose lives exemplify service, integrity and transformational leadership.

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The foundation disclosed that the recipient of the 2026 Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ Prize for Leadership would be announced in December 2026 and formally honoured on March 6, 2027, to coincide with the birth anniversary of Chief Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ.

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It added that the laureate would also deliver the traditional Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ Prize for Leadership Lecture, while recipients of the Sectoral Leadership Awards would be honoured at a public ceremony celebrating excellence in leadership.

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The foundation urged organisations and members of the public to nominate deserving leaders, adding that completed nomination forms and supporting documents should be submitted online or by email through the Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ Prize for Leadership Secretariat.

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