The Honourable Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Turkish Airlines executive Lokman Balkan, actresses Lilian Bach and Ronya Man, as well as renowned Ghanaian-born broadcaster Riyah Abdul, were among the prominent guests and awardees at the recently concluded Expatriates Business Awards (TEBA) 2025.
Held on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, the event celebrated Nigeria’s multicultural economic environment. The gathering drew a distinguished crowd, including Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who served as the event’s Chief Guest.
The black-tie ceremony brought together diplomats, corporate leaders, international investors, global professionals, and prominent figures, underscoring the strong ties between Nigeria and the global business community.
The evening was co-hosted by Egyptian-born media advisor Rania Elewa—who also received the Diaspora Trailblazer Award—and Cameroonian comedian and musician Danny Green, popularly known as 237 TownCryer. The event was a vibrant celebration of global entrepreneurship, cultural fusion, and impactful achievements.
Unlike traditional award ceremonies that focus on local entities, TEBA is a registered platform that honours Nigeria’s economic diversity by recognizing the input of migrant professionals and ethnic enterprises contributing significantly to the nation’s GDP and development.
The night featured cultural displays, exhibitions, musical performances, and comedy, all wrapped in a glamorous setting that emphasized unity and excellence.
Among the night’s award highlights:
Turkish Airlines won Expatriate Airline of the Year 2024/25.
Lilian Bach, leading actress, received the Diaspora Distinction Award.
Riyah Abdul, Ghanaian-born broadcaster, was named Diaspora Revelation of the Year 2024/25.
Ronya Man, a subtle yet talented actress, took home Cross Over Actress of the Year 2024/25.
Avsatel Communications Ltd., owned by Austria-born Georg Eder MBA, won Aviation Safety Champion of the Year 2024/25.
MACE Industries Ltd., led by Mr. Manoj Tagjiani, was named Aviation Technology Company of the Year 2024/25.
Danny Green (237 TownCryer) won Cross-Border Talent of the Year 2024/25.
Pascale Olumayowa Rafqa, an innovative entrepreneur, was honoured as Expatriate Entrepreneur of the Year 2024/25.
Mrs. Alice Adetona (Oyinbo Olonje), a Polish-born chef, was celebrated as Inter-Cultural Culinary Ambassador.
Zainab Fatty, a Gambian beautician, earned the title Serial Entrepreneur of the Year 2024/25.
Mrs. Janice Udogu, a Swiss national married to a Nigerian, received the Heritage Embrace Award for her dedication to Nigerian traditions.
CCECC, an international construction firm, was named Construction Company of the Year 2024/25.
Nigerbirds Engineering was recognised as an Emerging Aviation Powerhouse.
In his address, Rt. Hon. Obasa commended the organisers for highlighting the essential role of expatriate communities in Nigeria’s progress. He emphasized that initiatives like TEBA not only foster inclusion and business diplomacy but also help position Lagos—and Nigeria—as a nucleus for multicultural investment and innovation.
A key feature of the evening was the premium exposure granted to partners and sponsors before a high-profile audience of influencers, policymakers, and business leaders, reinforcing the significance of public-private-international collaboration.
TEBA 2025 has firmly established itself as a premier platform celebrating cross-cultural achievements, business excellence, and international collaboration within Nigeria’s corporate and entertainment spheres.