The race for the 2025 Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Nigeria (TOYP) programme has commenced with the opening of voting at 6.30 pm WAT on Monday, July 28, 2025.
A statement from the organisers disclosed that voting is expected to close at 11.59 pm WAT on August 6, 2025, with the unveiling of the nominees slated for Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, in commemoration of the United Nations International Youth Day.
The top 10 persons will be chosen from the 30 nominees shortlisted by KPMG Nigeria, the official audit partner for the 2025 JCI TOYP Program, from the top 50 nominees earlier evaluated by an independent panel of judges between March and April 2025.
These nominees had been selected by the jury from a total of 638 entries received nationwide during the nomination period, which ran between January and February 2025.
This programme is hosted annually by JCI Nigeria to celebrate young people (between the ages of 18 and 40) who have demonstrated remarkable leadership and significant contributions in their respective fields and communities.
For this year’s edition, its 41st, the top 10 will be at the 2025 JCI World Congress scheduled for Tunis in November.
Seven notable Nigerians have been honoured at the global stage – namely Ray Ekpu (1988), Dr. Modupe Osho (1996), Dr. Ola Orekunrin (2013), Imrana Buba (2017), Adepeju Opeyemi Jaiyeoba (2017), Jacinta Uramah (2018), and Temie Giwa-Tubosun (2021) –
The chairperson of the 2025 JCI TOYP Committee, Ms Yetunde Oyeyipo, encouraged members of the public to participate as the public voting phase plays a critical role in determining the final honourees because 40 per cent will be allocated to them and 60 per cent to the judges.
Speaking on the significance of this programme, the 2025 President of JCI Nigeria, Ms Oluwatoyin Atanda, said, “These exceptional individuals are pioneering change, pushing boundaries, and championing innovation across various sectors in Nigeria. They truly embody leadership, service, and commitment to national development. This year’s Nominees are not just dreamers, they are doers making tangible impact.”
The 2025 Top 30 Nominees are: Aramide Kayode, Motunrayo Sanyaolu, Chuks Ekwueme, Ifedayo Durosimi-Etti, Phoebe Dami-Asolo, Tosin Olaseinde, Prada Uzodinma, Aisha Abdullahi Adamu, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Morenike Olusanya, Emmanuel Oyeleke, Tolani Ali, Tobilola Ajayi, David Obianyor, Emokiniovo Dave-Akpedeye and Praise Akobo. Others are Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, Bukola Bolarinwa, Jumoke Dada, Toyeeb Ajayi, Adaeze Akpagbula, David Onilude, Elizabeth Oshoba, Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin, Oyinkansola Fawehinmi, Joseph Onele, Tomilola Majekodunmi, Oluwatobi Ajayi, Chinwe Okoli and Fisayo Fosudo.
These 30 nominees are in 10 categories, namely: Academic Leadership and/or Accomplishment; Business, Economic and/or Entrepreneurship Accomplishment; Contribution to Children, World Peace and/or Human Rights; Cultural Achievements; Humanitarian and/or Voluntary Leadership; Medical Innovation; Moral and/or Environmental Leadership; Personal Improvement and/or Accomplishment; Political, Legal and/or Government Affairs; and Scientific and/or Technological Development. Hence, 1 Nominee will emerge as the most outstanding person in each of these categories.