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High-Level Engagements Kick Off Ahead of Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025
The Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) has officially launched a series of strategic meetings in preparation for the upcoming Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025. On Wednesday, December 18, 2025, the MIPAD delegation paid a formal visit to His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, at the Lagos House, Marina.
Leading the delegation was Kamil Olufowobi, President of MIPAD, accompanied by key team members including Tope Esan, Chief Operations Officer; Angela Regalado, Global Director; Josie Antwi, Global Events Coordinator; Ayiri Oladunmoye of Oaken Events, the official event planner for Nigeria; and Adedayo Showemimo, Media Team Manager.
Governor Sanwo-Olu Honored for Visionary Leadership
During the visit, Governor Sanwo-Olu was formally presented with the prestigious MIPAD Award as the Most Influential Governor of 2025. This accolade recognizes his exemplary leadership and dedication to transforming Lagos into a global nexus for culture, innovation, tourism, and diaspora engagement. The Governor expressed heartfelt gratitude for the honor and reiterated Lagos State’s unwavering commitment to nurturing international partnerships and celebrating African excellence on the world stage.
Introducing the Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025
The Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025 is set to be a vibrant, week-long festival celebrating African heritage, creativity, and innovation, culminating in the grand End of the Year Awards & Celebration on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. This landmark event marks the first occasion that the globally acclaimed Most Influential 100 Recognition & Awards Ceremony-traditionally held in New York alongside the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)-will be hosted on African soil.
Highlights of the Week-Long Celebration
- Diaspora Day at the Fela Exhibition: A dynamic fusion of Afrobeat rhythms and diaspora culture.
- Cultural Heritage Day: Showcasing the rich traditions and history of African peoples worldwide.
- Business & Leadership Luncheon: A forum for influential leaders to discuss strategies for African advancement.
- End of the Year Recognition & Awards Ceremony: Honoring outstanding individuals and organizations driving global African achievement and Black excellence across sectors such as government, business, media, culture, and technology.
Distinguished Honorees of 2025
The 2025 awards spotlight trailblazers who have made significant impacts in their fields:
- Governor of the Year & City of the Year: His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Lagos State, respectively.
- Minister of the Year: Her Excellency Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.
- Most Influential Woman of the Year: Olorì Atúwàtse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom.
- Most Influential Man of the Year: Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive of OANDO.
- CEO of the Year: Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, who will also deliver a keynote address recognizing his transformative leadership in Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital sectors.
Additional honorees include Davido (Artist of the Year), Uche Pedro (Lifestyle Personality of the Year), Ojy Okpe (Most Influential News Anchor of the Year), Stephanie Busari (Media Executive of the Year), and Kayode Okikiolu (Pressman of the Year), among other distinguished figures.
Brand of the Year: Martell Cognac
Michael Ehindero, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Nigeria, representing Martell Cognac, expressed gratitude for the Brand of the Year award, stating:
“This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team in delivering exceptional experiences with Martell in Nigeria. We thank our consumers and MIPAD for this honor. Looking ahead, Martell is excited to lead the Detty December celebrations across Nigeria.”
Honoring Past and Present Excellence
The ceremony will also pay tribute to the Class of 2025 honorees alongside previous Nigerian awardees who were unable to attend their ceremonies in New York, ensuring their achievements receive the spotlight they deserve.
“For the first time, we are bringing our globally renowned recognition platform to Lagos to celebrate excellence within the Global African community,” said Kamil Olufowobi, Founder and Chairman of MIPAD. “This event transcends a mere awards ceremony; it is a movement dedicated to uniting, empowering, and inspiring Africans and people of African descent worldwide to collaborate and drive transformative change.”
About the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD)
MIPAD is an international civil society initiative aligned with the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2034). Its mission is to identify, honor, and connect high-achieving individuals of African descent globally, fostering recognition, collaboration, and sustainable impact across diverse sectors.
