Awolowo Foundation Opens Nominations for 2026 Leadership Prize, Sectoral Awards

The Obafemi Awolowo Foundation is seeking nominations for its prestigious 2026 Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ Prize for Leadership and the newly introduced Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ Sectoral Leadership Awards. The foundation invites institutions, professional bodies, and the public globally to nominate individuals demonstrating integrity, vision, courage, and commitment to the common good.

Nominations for the main leadership prize will be accepted from August 1 to October 31, 2026. The Sectoral Leadership Awards, designed to recognize transformative impact in critical sectors, will receive entries until September 30, 2026. These new awards complement the established prize, both aiming to preserve and promote the leadership ideals of Chief Ọbafẹmi Awolọwọ, a prominent African nationalist leader.

The awards seek to foster ethical, visionary, and people-centered leadership, addressing complex governance and development challenges faced by Nigeria, Africa, and the world. Nominees for the main prize should have a verifiable record of exceptional leadership in public service, business, or civil society, with a measurable impact on society, particularly in areas like education, healthcare, economic development, and social justice. The foundation encourages the nomination of qualified women to promote inclusive leadership.

The Sectoral Leadership Awards will honor individuals for their exemplary leadership in four categories: Public Service; Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility; Educational Transformation; and People-Centred Advocacy and Support for the Underprivileged. Nominees for these awards can be from Nigeria, Africa, or anywhere globally, provided they have demonstrated sustained, values-driven leadership with measurable, transformative impact in their respective fields. Leadership will be assessed based on integrity and other key values.