The Future Awards Africa unveils 2025 nominees — Rasheedat Ajibade, Tomike Adeoye, Uzo Njoku, and more
The Future Awards Africa (TFAA), the continent’s most prestigious awards platform celebrating young African excellence, is proud to announce the nominees for its highly anticipated 19th edition. This year’s ceremony, themed “Threads of Legacy,” shines the spotlight on the young changemakers whose work today is shaping the fabric of Africa’s tomorrow.
The nominees represent a cross-section of the continent’s brightest minds and boldest talents — creators, tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, advocates, innovators, educators, and leaders who are not just breaking boundaries but weaving enduring legacies. In recognition of the growing diversity of young African achievement, this year’s edition features 25 categories, the most in TFAA history. Arts and Literature have been split into two distinct categories. Performing Arts has been introduced to celebrate dynamic expressions on stage and beyond, and Service to Young People (an honorary category) has been added to honour exceptional individuals championing youth causes across the continent.
Speaking on this year’s nominees, Ayodeji Razaq, Executive Director of The Future Awards Africa (TFAA), said, “The story of Africa’s future is being written today, thread by thread, through the work of these nominees. They are artists, tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, advocates, and innovators whose achievements do more than inspire — they create legacies that others can build on. Each name on this list is proof that young Africans are not waiting for the future to happen; they are actively shaping it. This is what The Future Awards Africa exists to celebrate. We are honoured to spotlight their stories, preserve their contributions as part of Africa’s collective memory, and excited for the mark they will leave on generations to come.”
This year’s list of nominees includes notable names such as Rasheedat Ajibade, Fola David, Akinyemi Oluwaseun Omotayo(Asherkine), Victor Ugo, Poco Lee, Gbubemi Ejeye, Tomike Adeoye, Kelvin Umechukwu, Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu, and Dongio Casil (Djec fashion)from Cameroon, each representing the spirit of youth-led impact that defines TFAA.
Here is the full list of nominees:
CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
Chiamaka Iwenofu
Umearigolu Casmir Chukwuebuka (ianumeh)
Taiwo Abisoye Joel
Daniel Obasi (AMAH Studios)
Julie C. Godwin
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ayo makinwa
Amazing Klef
Emeka Amafor
Thompson Ekong
Chika Onuu
EDUCATION
Adeola (Della) Abayomi
John Onuigbo
Chioma Ukpabi
Abigael Anaza-Mark
Afeez iyiola
JOURNALISM
Blessings Mosugu (News Central Television)
Muhammad Ibrahim (Halal Reporters)
Yousra Elbagir
Madina Dahiru Maishanu
Emmanuel Onwuka
CONTENT CREATION
Mariam Apaokagi (Taooma)
Dezny (Destiny Ogie Osarewinda)
Nasboi (Lawal Nasiru Bolaji)
Shankscomics
Steven Ndukwu
Folagade Banks (Mama Deola)
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Victor Ugo (MANI)
Kieva Chris-Amusan (Fertitude)
Kemi Olakunle (HealthVest (formerly Health4Moni)
Imodoye Abioro: (CEO of Healthbotics)
Lola Aderemi (Co-Founder of Pharmarun)
COMMUNITY ACTION
Fatima Mohammed Habib
Aderinsola Akinwumi
Akinyemi Oluwaseun Omotayo (Asherkine)
Hammed Kayode Alabi
Grace Oyemade
ARTS
Uzo Njoku
Ahmed Alsagheer
Haneefah Adam
Samson Bakare
Ayobola Kekere-Ekun
LITERATURE
Adedayo Agarau
Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu
Troy Onyango (Kenya)
Chioma Rosemary
Chukwuebuka Ibeh
ACTIVISM AND ADVOCACY
Claire Benson Idoko (Nedeevah Aid Foundation)
Damilola Osuolale (KIDNEY HEALTH EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION)
Solomon Ayodele (Boys Quarters Africa)
Aisha Hamman (Lift Africa Foundation)
Ufuoma Nnamdi Udeh
FASHION
Richmond Barnes (Will and Barnes Group)
Elyon Adede (Elexiay)
Dongio Casil (Djec fashion) (Cameroon)
Makililo Nelson (Maklinscout)
Mohammed Abbas Ossu (Abbaswoman)
LAW
Markanthony Ezeoha
Annie Oti
Mina Obeten
Bernice Asein
Ogenetega Adedipe
FILM
Femi Dapson
Oluwadamilola Apampa (Dammy Twitch)
Ella Chikezie
Adedapo Adedeji (DapoKing)
Niyi Fagbemi
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Tomiwa Aghedo
David Onilude
Muyiwa Babarinde
Bode Roberts
Oreoluwa Agunbiade
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Dr. Bukola Jaiyeola
RJ Musah
Fatima Babakura
Ogechukwu Obah
Tomike Adeoye
TECHNOLOGY
Kieva Chris-Amusan (Fertitude)
Oluwatobi Oseni (Payshiga Technologies)
Christiana Onoja (Founder Shecode.ai)
Toluwanimi Adegbite (Founder Cirvee)
Kelvin Umechukwu (Bumpa)
PERFORMING ARTS
SHEILAH GASHUMBA (GASHUMBA, DJ) (Uganda)
Babatunde Kasumu (Babs Cardini, Magician)
Daniella Peters (Spoken Word Artist)
Big Bimi
Iweh Pascal Odinaka (Poco Lee)
INTRAPRENEURSHIP
Samuel Frank (Sahara Impact Ventures)
Abiodun Ayobami (Finxpire Digital Network Ltd)
Hakeem Akiode (Youverify)
Elizabeth Abati (Google)
Solomon Ayodele (Wema Bank)
ON AIR PERSONALITY
Adaeze Aduaka
Jay on air
Azeezah Hashim (Kenya)
Daniel Adaaja
Riyah Abdul (Ghana)
AGRICULTURE
Basirat Abdullahi,( Founder, Happy Birds)
Ajoke Amusat (The grocery lady)
Baliqees Salaudeen (Green Republic Limited)
Adetiloye Aiyeola (Produce Export Development Alliance)
Owoyemi Olasunkanmi
GOVERNANCE
Otobong Obo
Nafisat Buge
Muhammed Kadade Sulieman
Daniel OTABOR
Abdulhaleem Ringim
MUSIC
Okeowo Oladotun Alani, DOTTi
Ayo Maff
Folarin Odunlami (FOLA)
Oluwafisayo Isa (Darkoo)
Nasboi
SPORT
Chijioke Mbaoma (Enyimba)
Sodiq Ismail (Remo Stars)
Ola Aina (Nott’m Forest)
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Rasheedat Ajibade (PSG)
ACTING
Gbubemi Ejeye
Teniola Aladese
Debo Adedayo (Mrmacaroni)
Mike Afolarin
Tomi Ojo
SERVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE (Honorary)
Ali Baba
YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR
Fola David
Tolulope Makinwa
Alma Asinobi
Kemi Olakunle (Health Vest)
Ayelabola Ololade
Hammed Kayode Alabi
Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale (Olaolu Slawn)
The awards will be judged by a distinguished panel of leaders and visionaries who have left indelible marks on their fields, ensuring a rigorous and transparent selection process that reflects the excellence of the nominees. TFAA 19th edition promises to be a celebration of innovation, courage, and legacy; a reminder that the future is here, now, and African.
