Africa’s prestigious awards platform that celebrates young African excellence, TheFuture Awards Africa (TFAA), has unveiled the nominees for the top prizes forits highly anticipated 19th edition, and it’s shaping up to be athrilling competition. This year’s ceremony, themed “Threads ofLegacy,” shines the spotlight on the young change-makers whose work today isshaping the fabric of Africa’s tomorrow. The nominees represent across-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. Inrecognition of the growing diversity of young African achievement, this year’sedition features 25 categories, the most in TFAA history. Arts and Literaturehave been split into two distinct categories, with Performing Arts introduced tocelebrate dynamic expressions on stage and beyond, while Service to YoungPeople (an honorary category) has been added to honour exceptional individualschampioning youth causes across the continent. Speaking on this year’s nominees, ExecutiveDirector of The Future Awards Africa, Ayodeji Razaq, said, “The story ofAfrica’s future is being written today, thread by thread, through the work ofthese nominees. They are artists, tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, advocates,and innovators whose achievements do more than inspire — they create legaciesthat others can build on. “Each name on this list is proof that youngAfricans are not waiting for the future to happen; they are actively shapingit. This is what The Future Awards Africa exists to celebrate. We are honouredto spotlight their stories, preserve their contributions as part of Africa’scollective memory, and excited for the mark they will leave on generations tocome.” This year’s list of nominees includes notablenames such as Rasheedat Ajibade, Fola David, Akinyemi Oluwaseun Omotayo (Asherkine),Victor Ugo, Poco Lee, Gbubemi Ejeye, Tomike Adeoye, Kelvin Umechukwu, HauwaShaffii Nuhu, and Dongio Casil (Djec Fashion) from Cameroon, each representingthe spirit of youth-led impact that defines TFAA. In the CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION categoryare: Chiamaka Iwenofu, Umearigolu Casmir Chukwuebuka (ianumeh), Taiwo AbisoyeJoel, Daniel Obasi (AMAH Studios), and Julie C. Godwin, just as the PHOTOGRAPHYcategory has Ayo makinwa, Amazing Klef, Emeka Amafor, Thompson Ekong, and ChikaOnuu The EDUCATION category has Adeola (Della)Abayomi, John Onuigbo, Chioma Ukpabi, Abigael Anaza-Mark and Afeez iyiola,while in the JOURNALISM category, Blessings Mosugu (News Central Television), MuhammadIbrahim (Halal Reporters), Yousra Elbagir, Madina Dahiru Maishanu and EmmanuelOnwuka battles for the prize. In MUSIC, Okeowo Oladotun Alani (DOTTi theDeity), Ayorinde Mafoluku Ayodele (Ayo Maff), Folarin Odunlami (FOLA),Oluwafisayo Isa (Darkoo), and Lawal Michael Nasiru Bolaji (Nasboi) are lockinghorns for the prize. For the prize in CONTENT CREATION, MariamApaokagi (Taooma), Destiny Ogie Osarewinda (Dezny), Lawal Nasiru Bolaji (Nasboi),Adesokan Adedeji Emmanuel (Shankscomics), Stephen Anthony Ndukwu (Steven Ndukwu)and Folagade Banks (Mama Deola) will rally their fans from across the globe to walkhome with the prize. Chijioke Mbaoma (Enyimba), Sodiq Ismail (RemoStars), Ola Aina (Nott’m Forest), Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton and Hove Albion) andRasheedat Ajibade (PSG) will battle for Sport Person of the Year in the SPORT category,while Fatima Mohammed Habib, Aderinsola Akinwumi, Akinyemi Oluwaseun Omotayo(Asherkine), Hammed Kayode Alabi, and Grace Oyemade will rally their followersand fans for the COMMUNITY ACTION award. The HEALTH AND WELLNESS category has VictorUgo (MANI), Kieva Chris-Amusan (Fertitude), Kemi Olakunle (HealthVest (formerlyHealth4Moni), Imodoye Abioro (CEO of Healthbotics), and Lola Aderemi(Co-Founder of Pharmarun), just as the LAW category has Markanthony Ezeoha,Annie Oti, Mina Obeten, Bernice Asein, and Ogenetega Adedipe In ARTS, Uzo Njoku, Ahmed Alsagheer, HaneefahAdam, Samson Bakare, Ayobola Kekere-Ekun will rally art enthusiasts for theprize. Adedayo Agarau, Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu, Troy Onyango (Kenya), ChiomaRosemary, Chukwuebuka Ibeh whose ink has impact the society will rely on themfor the prize in LITERATURE, while Babatunde Kasumu (Babs Cardini, Magician), SheilahGashumba (DJ GASHUMBA – Uganda), Daniella Peters (Spoken Word Artist), Big Bimi,Iweh Pascal Odinaka (Poco Lee) will slug it out in the PERFORMING ARTS category. Claire Benson Idoko (Nedeevah Aid Foundation),Damilola Osuolale (Kidney Health Empowerment Foundation), Solomon Ayodele (BoysQuarters Africa), Aisha Hamman (Lift Africa Foundation), and Ufuoma Nnamdi UdehACTIVISM AND ADVOCACY impact will be gauged by the followers in the category, whileOtobong Obo, Nafisat Buge, Muhammed Kadade Sulieman, Daniel Otabor, and AbdulhaleemRingim call for good GOVERNANCE will determined by the results and implementationof their advocacy Other categories include FASHION with RichmondBarnes (Will and Barnes Group), Elyon Adede (Elexiay), Dongio Casil (DjecFashion, Cameroon), Makililo Nelson (Maklinscout), Mohammed Abbas Ossu(Abbaswoman); LAW – Markanthony Ezeoha, Annie Oti, Mina Obeten, Bernice Asein, andOgenetega Adedipe FILM – Femi Dapson, Oluwadamilola Apampa(Dammy Twitch), Ella Chikezie, Adedapo Adedeji (DapoKing), and Niyi Fagbemi, PROFESSIONALSERVICE: Tomiwa Aghedo, David Onilude, Muyiwa Babarinde, Bode Roberts, andOreoluwa Agunbiade. ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Dr. Bukola Jaiyeola, RJ Musah, Fatima Babakura,Ogechukwu Obah, and Tomike Adeoye. INTRAPRENEURSHIP: Samuel Frank (SaharaImpact Ventures), Abiodun Ayobami (Finxpire Digital Network Ltd), Hakeem Akiode(Youverify), Elizabeth Abati (Google), and Solomon Ayodele (Wema Bank) TECHNOLOGY: Kieva Chris-Amusan (Fertitude), OluwatobiOseni (Payshiga Technologies), Christiana Onoja (Founder Shecode.ai), ToluwanimiAdegbite (Founder Cirvee), and Kelvin Umechukwu (Bumpa). AGRICULTURE: BasiratAbdullahi,( Founder, Happy Birds), Ajoke Amusat (The grocery lady), BaliqeesSalaudeen (Green Republic Limited), Adetiloye Aiyeola (Produce ExportDevelopment Alliance), and Owoyemi Olasunkanmi. ON AIR PERSONALITY: Adaeze Aduaka, Jay onair, Azeezah Hashim (Kenya), Daniel Adaaja, and Riyah Abdul (Ghana). ACTING: GbubemiEjeye, Teniola Aladese, Debo Adedayo (Mr Macaroni), Mike Afolarin, and Tomi Ojo.The doyen of modern day comedy, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known asAli Baba will be honoured with the award for SERVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE (Honorary) The YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR award will be determined by weight of the contenders which include, Fola David,Tolulope Makinwa, Alma Asinobi, Kemi Olakunle (Health Vest), Ayelabola Ololade,Hammed Kayode Alabi, and Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale (Olaolu Slawn) he The awards will be judged by a distinguishedpanel of leaders and visionaries who have left indelible marks on their fields,ensuring a rigorous and transparent selection process that reflects theexcellence of the nominees. TFAA 2025 promises to be a celebration ofinnovation, courage, and legacy; a reminder that the future is here, now, andAfrican.
Full list of nominees: CREATIVITY AND INNOVATIONChiamakaIwenofuUmearigoluCasmir Chukwuebuka (ianumeh)TaiwoAbisoye JoelDanielObasi (AMAH Studios)JulieC. Godwin PHOTOGRAPHYAyomakinwa AmazingKlef EmekaAmaforThompsonEkongChikaOnuu EDUCATIONAdeola(Della) AbayomiJohnOnuigboChiomaUkpabiAbigaelAnaza-MarkAfeeziyiola JOURNALISMBlessingsMosugu (News Central Television)MuhammadIbrahim (Halal Reporters) YousraElbagirMadinaDahiru MaishanuEmmanuelOnwuka CONTENT CREATIONMariamApaokagi (Taooma)Dezny(Destiny Ogie Osarewinda)Nasboi(Lawal Nasiru Bolaji)ShankscomicsStevenNdukwuFolagadeBanks (Mama Deola) HEALTH AND WELLNESSVictorUgo (MANI)KievaChris-Amusan (Fertitude)KemiOlakunle (HealthVest (formerly Health4Moni)ImodoyeAbioro: (CEO of Healthbotics)LolaAderemi (Co-Founder of Pharmarun) COMMUNITY ACTIONFatimaMohammed HabibAderinsolaAkinwumiAkinyemiOluwaseun Omotayo (Asherkine) HammedKayode Alabi GraceOyemade ARTSUzoNjokuAhmedAlsagheerHaneefahAdamSamsonBakareAyobolaKekere-Ekun LITERATUREAdedayoAgarauHauwaShaffii NuhuTroyOnyango (Kenya)ChiomaRosemaryChukwuebukaIbeh ACTIVISM AND ADVOCACYClaireBenson Idoko (Nedeevah Aid Foundation)DamilolaOsuolale (Kidney Health Empowerment Foundation)SolomonAyodele (Boys Quarters Africa)AishaHamman (Lift Africa Foundation)UfuomaNnamdi Udeh FASHIONRichmondBarnes (Will and Barnes Group)ElyonAdede (Elexiay)DongioCasil (Djec fashion) (Cameroon)MakililoNelson (Maklinscout)MohammedAbbas Ossu (Abbaswoman) LAWMarkanthonyEzeohaAnnieOtiMinaObetenBerniceAseinOgenetegaAdedipe FILMFemiDapsonOluwadamilolaApampa (Dammy Twitch)EllaChikezieAdedapoAdedeji (DapoKing)NiyiFagbemi PROFESSIONAL SERVICETomiwaAghedoDavidOnilude MuyiwaBabarindeBodeRobertsOreoluwaAgunbiade ENTREPRENEURSHIPDr.Bukola JaiyeolaRJMusahFatimaBabakuraOgechukwuObahTomikeAdeoye TECHNOLOGYKievaChris-Amusan (Fertitude)OluwatobiOseni (Payshiga Technologies)ChristianaOnoja (Founder Shecode.ai)ToluwanimiAdegbite (Founder Cirvee)KelvinUmechukwu (Bumpa) PERFORMING ARTSSheilahGashumba (GASHUMBA, DJ) (Uganda)BabatundeKasumu (Babs Cardini, Magician)DaniellaPeters (Spoken Word Artist)BigBimiIwehPascal Odinaka (Poco Lee) INTRAPRENEURSHIPSamuelFrank (Sahara Impact Ventures)AbiodunAyobami (Finxpire Digital Network Ltd)HakeemAkiode (Youverify)ElizabethAbati (Google)SolomonAyodele (Wema Bank) ON AIR PERSONALITYAdaezeAduakaJayon airAzeezahHashim (Kenya)DanielAdaajaRiyahAbdul (Ghana) AGRICULTUREBasiratAbdullahi,( Founder, Happy Birds)AjokeAmusat (The grocery lady)BaliqeesSalaudeen (Green Republic Limited)AdetiloyeAiyeola (Produce Export Development Alliance)OwoyemiOlasunkanmi GOVERNANCEOtobongOboNafisatBugeMuhammedKadade SuliemanDanielOTABORAbdulhaleemRingim MUSICOkeowoOladotun Alani, DOTTiAyoMaffFolarinOdunlami (FOLA)OluwafisayoIsa (Darkoo)Nasboi SPORTChijiokeMbaoma (Enyimba)SodiqIsmail (Remo Stars)OlaAina (Nott’m Forest)ChiamakaNnadozie (Brighton and Hove Albion)RasheedatAjibade (PSG) ACTINGGbubemiEjeyeTeniolaAladeseDeboAdedayo (Mrmacaroni)MikeAfolarinTomiOjo SERVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE (Honorary)AliBaba YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEARFolaDavidTolulopeMakinwaAlmaAsinobiKemiOlakunle (Health Vest)AyelabolaOloladeHammedKayode AlabiOlaoluAkeredolu-Ale (Olaolu Slawn)
TFAA 2025: Organisers unveil nominees, Ali Baba tipped for honourary award
