The most anticipated annual list of young Nigerians, 100 Most Influential Young Nigerians, which is curated by leading PR & Rating firm, Avance Media, has been released.
Currently, in its fifth year, the annual ranking by Avance Media has helped highlight the works of young Nigerians across the world and has seen notable personalities such FunkeAkindele (2016), Victor Moses (2017) and Davido (2018) voted as the Most Influential Young Nigerians in the previous years.
Honourees cut across diverse sectors with these inspiring young change-makers and leaders making great strides as entrepreneurs, musicians, activists, media personalities, social entrepreneurs, public servants and politicians.
According to Prince Akpah, founder and MD of Avance Media, “the list serves as an encouragement to young Nigerians who are accomplished in their industries and continue to build a distinguished brand for themselves and influence over others. This list also urges those honoured to continue striving harder so their stories can inspire other young people to also contribute their quota to the development of Nigeria and the continent of Africa.”
Profiles of all finalists have been published on: www.avancemedia.org/2019MIYN
Public voting has been opened via ng.avancemedia.orgfor the public to decide who among the 100 honourees served as the most influential young person in 2019. The public voting ends on 3rd February.
Avance Media is also spearheading related annual rankings for Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya.
Below is the list of nominees arranged in their respective categories:
Business
- Abubakar Falalu [CEO, Falgates]
- Adewale Aladejana [CEO, Sapphire Scents]
- Bella Disu [Vice Chairman, Globacom]
- George Omoraro [CEO, The Rage Group]
- Ogechukwu Alexis Obah [CEO, Bodylikemilk]
- Olawale Ayilara [CEO, Landwey Investment Limited]
- Oluwatobi Ajayi [CEO, Nord Automobiles]
- Sandra UleyiItu [CEO, LeyiUsh]
- Seyi Tinubu [CEO, LoatsadPromomedia Ltd]
- Temie Giwa-Tubosun [CEO, Lifebank]
Entertainment
- Burna Boy [Musician]
- Davido [Musician]
- Falz [Musician]
- MrEazi [Musician]
- Rema [Musician]
- Teni [Musician]
- Victor AD [Musician]
- Wizkid [Musician]
- YemiAlade [Musician]
- Zlatan [Musician]
Law & Governance
- AbayomiOkubote [Senior Associate, OlaniwunAjayi LP]
- Hon. AbokNuhuAyuba [Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly]
- HonourableAdeboOgundoyin[Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly]
- AkinkunmiAkinwunmi [Managing Partner, Paragon Advisors]
- EgbiriEgbiri [Principal Legal Counsel, African Development Bank Group]
- Hon Yusuf Adebisi [Rep, Ibadan South West 1 State Constituency]
- Reginald Aziza [Attorney, Chevron Nigeria Limited]
- SeunFakorede [Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Oyo State]
- Ukinebo Dare [Managing Director, Edo State Skills Development Agency]
- UzomaNwagba [COO, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme]
Leadership & Civil Society
- AdetolaOnayemi [Assistant Chief Negotiator, Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations]
- Esther Agbarakwe [Communications and Public Mobilization, UN]
- FunkeAdeoye [Cofounder, Hope Behind Bars Africa]
- HamzatLawal [CEO, Connected Development]
- IbukunOnitiju [Head of Digital, Nestle Central and West Africa Region]
- OluTimehinAdegbeye [Writer]
- Peter TegaOghenejobo [COO, Mavin Records]
- Philip Obaji [Founder, 1 GAME: Football without Violence initiative]
- Richard Akuson [LGBTQ+ rights activist]
- Samson Itodo [Executive Director, YIAGA]
Lifestyle
- AbisolaAkintunde [CEO, MakeupbyAshabee]
- BrodaShaggi [Comedian]
- Crazeclown [Comedian]
- DJ Cuppy [DJ]
- Funny Toheeb [Comedian]
- Helen Chukwu [CEO, Helen Couture]
- Sydney Talker [Comedian]
- TolaniAlli [Photographer]
- Uche Pedro [Blogger, Bella Naija]
- YagazieEguare [Photographer]
Media
- AritOkpo [TV Host, CNN Africa]
- DidiAkinyelure [Journalist]
- IdiaAisien [OAP]
- Joey Akan [Journalist]
- Kiki Mordi [Journalist]
- OluwamayowaTijani [Journalist]
- Sandra Ezekwesili [OAP, Nigeria Info FM]
- Shola Lawal [Journalist]
- Stephanie Coker [OAP]
- VJ Adams [OAP, Soundcity TV]
Personal Development & Academia
- Bright Jaja [Founder, iCreate Africa]
- EdirinEdewor [Founder, Online Publishers and Entrepreneurs Network]
- EyitayoOgunmola [CEO, Utiva]
- Gideon Olanrewaju [CEO, Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative]
- Grace Ihejiamaizu [Founder, OpportunityDesk.org]
- John Obidi [CEO, Headstart Africa]
- Nike Folagbade [Lead Consultant, Nike Folagbade International]
- Olaseni Cole [Founder, Young Empowered Programmers]
- Otosirieze Obi-Young [Writer]
- Otto Orondaam [Founder, Slum2School Africa]
Science & Technology
- Anna Ekeledo [ED, Afrilabs]
- ChineduAzodoh [Co-founder, Max.ng]
- EtopIkpe [CEO, Cars45]
- Evans Akanno [CEO, Cregital]
- Fred Oyetayo [CEO, Fresible]
- Ire Aderinokun [Cofounder, BuyCoins]
- Obi Ozor [Founder, Kobo360]
- OdunayoEweniyi [Cofounder, PiggyVest]
- OluwatobiOyinlola [IoT Evangelist, Intel]
- Zang Luka Bot [CEO, Zang Technology]
Social Entreprise& Philanthropy
- Alli-Bob Cinwon [Founder, Evergreen Initiative]
- AyodejiOsowobi [Founder, Stand to End Rape]
- BisayoBusariAkinnadeju [Founder, Project One Productions]
- Isaac Success Omoyele [Founder, Dreams from the Slum]
- KelechukwuNwachukwu Lucky [Founder, Youth Network Against Female Genital Mutilation]
- Ola Brown (Dr.) [Founder, Flying Doctors Nigeria]
- OlumideIdowu [Co-Founder, International Climate Change Development Initiative]
- OnyekaAkumah [Founder, Farmcrowdy]
- SipasiOlalekanAyodele [Founder, Protect Ozone]
- Vivian Sonny – Nsirim [Founder, Young Moms Support Initiative]
Sports
- Alex Iwobi [Footballer, Everton FC]
- Asisat Oshoala [Footballer, FC Barcelona Femení]
- Desire Oparanozie [Footballer, Guingamp]
- EfeAjagba [Boxer]
- Francisca Ordega [Footballer, Shanghai Shenhua]
- Isaac Success [Footballer, Watford FC]
- KelechiIheanacho [Footballer, Leceister FC]
- Leke James [Footballer, Molde FK]
- Samuel Chukwueze [Footballer, Villarreal CF]
- Victor Osimhen [Footballer, Lille]
The ranking is spearheaded by Avance Media in partnership with Reset Global People, VIPI State, Jagari Designs, Surge Studios, WatsUp TV and Cliq Africa.
Source: Avance Media