Vanguard Personality of the Year: The Challenge of Making Educated Decisions

Nigeria's 2025 was marked by numerous challenges, including socio-political, economic, and insecurity issues that negatively impacted the lives of many, with the second half of the year being particularly anxiety-ridden.

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The country's politicians did not help alleviate the situation, especially with the numerous defections, some of which were deemed illegal or immoral, and the political sphere was marred by allegations and counter-allegations of a nonsensical nature.

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The threat from US President Donald J. Trump, who claimed there was Christian genocide in Nigeria, prompted the Nigerian government to suddenly address the issue of ambassadorial appointments, which had been pending for two years.

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Meanwhile, terror attacks continued unabated, and it was amidst this backdrop that the Vanguard Board of Editors undertook their annual task of selecting a prominent individual who had significantly impacted the polity, economy, or society.

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This concept, first introduced by TIME Magazine editors in 1927, involves a rigorous process of nominations, debates, and voting to choose the 'sufficiently prominent individual' for the PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR award.

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Between October and November every year, the Vanguard editors engage in this process, which can be intense and challenging, with no editor having superior voting rights except in the event of a tie.

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The sessions, moderated by the Chairman of the Committee, involve fierce but civil debates, with editors presenting and arguing their cases for various nominees, and this year was no exception.

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The process was particularly grueling in 2025, with the sessions extending into December, as the editors struggled to find a deserving individual amidst the numerous challenges facing the country.

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The psychologist Johann Freidrich Herbart's concept that concepts become forces when they resist one another was evident in the debates, as arguments and counter-arguments forcefully resisted each other.

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A nominee was rejected due to the "increasing ethnicisation of his policies," while another's presentation was torn down in less than 30 seconds, highlighting the intense scrutiny and debate involved in the process.

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After much deliberation, the editors finally settled on Alhaji Sayyu Idris Dantata, Chairman of MRS, for his outstanding role in championing energy affordability in the downstream sector, as well as his commitment to meeting the energy needs of Nigerians.

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Olubunmi Ojo, the Interior Minister, was also chosen as a joint winner for his sustainable approach to addressing the passport challenge and his efforts to digitize the works of his ministry.

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The complete list of awardees includes Alhaji Sayyu Idris Dantata and Olubunmi Ojo as PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR, as well as several other individuals and organizations recognized for their contributions in various fields.

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The GOOD GOVERNANCE AWARDEES include Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, and Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, among others.

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The LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD recipients include Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, Chief Samuel Adedoyin, Jim Ovia, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Dr. Vincent Ebuh, and Chief Jim Nwobodo, among others.

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Other award winners include Mrs. Vicky Hastrup as WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR, Osahon Okubor as YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR, and Alfred Temile as BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR.

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Festus Keyamo was recognized as PUBLIC SECTOR ICON OF THE YEAR, while the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was named INTERVENTIONIST AGENCY OF THE YEAR.

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Ahonsi Unuigbe, Founder and Chief Executive of Petralon Energy, was awarded ENERGY ICON OF THE YEAR, and Dr. Stephen Akintayo, CEO of Gtext Holdings, was named REAL ESTATE ICON.

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Chijioke Ezeugwu, Chairman of Ezeuwani Local Government, was recognized as GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT ICON, and Oluwatobi Ajayi, Founder of Nord Motors, was named AUTO ICON OF THE YEAR.

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Renaissance was named COMPANY OF THE YEAR, and Saliim Adegunwa, Managing Director of Rites Foods, was recognized as INDUSTRIALIST OF THE YEAR.

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Mr. Solomon Ewanehi, CEO of Solewant Group, was named PRIVATE SECTOR ICON, and Dr. Iroghama Ogbeifu, Managing Director of Starzs Investments Co. Ltd, was recognized as MARITIME ICON OF THE YEAR.

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Archbishop Onyeka Nzekwesi, CEO of Pineleaf Estate and Property, was named Infrastructure Development Icon, and Chief Victor Wayles Egukawhore was recognized as BLUE ECONOMY Icon.

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The National Emergency Agency (NEMA) was named Humanitarian Agency of the Year, and Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, Managing Director/CEO of Wellmann Group, was recognized as LOGISTICS ICON OF THE YEAR.

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Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, was named WOMEN AFFAIRS ADVOCATE of the Year, and Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, GCEO/GMD of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, was recognized as ENERGY INNOVATION AND REFORM ICON OF THE YEAR.