The Future Awards Africa which is an award to celebrate young people between the ages of 18 and 31, who have made outstanding achievement in the year under consideration took place on December 18, 2016 at The Federal Palace Hotel and Casino, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The awards was conceived by the duo of Chude Jideonwo and Adebola Williams in 2004. The first The Future Awards ceremony was held on February 6, 2006 at the Muson Centre in Lagos to honour the outstanding achievements of the 2005/2006 season.
The 2016 awards ceremony was also lit up by lively performances by Timi Dakolo, who never fails to wow the crowd, Simi and Davido.
The various categories, nominees and winners are listed below:
CATEGORY 1: Acting
- Adesua Etomi, 30
- Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama, 28 – Winner
- Rahama Sadau, 24
- Seun Ajayi, 30
- Daniel K Daniel, 30
CATEGORY 2: The Future Awards Africa Prize for Fashion
- Adebayo Oke-Lawal, 26 – Winner
- Wanger Ayu, 30
- Ogugua Okonkwo, 30
- Jane Micheal Ekanem, 30
- Sandra Itu, 28
CATEGORY 3: The Future Awards Africa Prize for Beauty
- Joycee Awojoodu, 28
- Kehinde Smith, 27
- Iroghama B. Obuoforibo, 31
- Olajide David ‘ST.OLA’ Okerayi, 25
- Theodora ‘Doranne’ Anne Mogo, 24 – Winner
CATEGORY 4: Music
- Yemi Alade, 27 – Winner
- Oluwatosin ‘Mr Eazi’ Ajibade, 25
- Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana, 26
- Oluwatobiloba “Kiss Danielz” Daniel Anidugbe, 23
- Augustine ‘Tekno’ Miles Kelechi, 22
CATEGORY 5: Professional Service
- Ify Afe, 29
- Kenneth Okwor, 24
- Solomon Ojeagbase, 30
- Dr Salihu Dasuki Nakande, 29 – Winner
- Chidiogo Akunyili, 31
CATEGORY 6: Business
- Seun Sangoleye, 30
- Yasmin Belo-Osagie/Afua Osei, 27/29
- Ifeanyi Orajaka, 28 – Winner
- Affiong Williams, 30
- Seyi Abolaji, 32
CATEGORY 7: Sports
- Seye Ogunlewe, 25
- Odion Ighalo, 27
- Omolayo Bose, 27
- Kehinde Paul, 28 – Winner
- Kelechi Promise Iheanacho, 20
CATEGORY 8: Education
- Olumide Ogunlana and Chukwuwezam Obanor, 26/27
- Chinenye Ezeakor, 25
- Arese Ugwu, 31
- Godwin Benson, 27 – Winner
- Izunna Okafor, 22
CATEGORY 9: Technology
- Shola Akinlade, 31
- Olaniran Abiola, 27 – Winner
- Andrew Airelobhegbei, 23
- Dele Bakare, 27
- Oluyomi Ojo, 32
CATEGORY 10: New Media
- Tosin Ajibade, 29 – Winner
- Femi Bakare and Adeyeri Michael, 23/24
- Ebenezar Wikina, 23
- Bizzle Osikoya, 30
- Bashir Ahmad, 25
CATEGORY 11: Media Enterprise
- Bankole Oluwafemi, 29
- Adaora Mbelu-Dania, 30
- Bidemi Zakariyau, 27 – Winner
- Fatima Togbe, 29
- Samuel Ajiboye, 25
CATEGORY 12: The Future Awards Africa Prize in Public Service
- Asuquo Ekpenyong, 31 – Winner
- Aliyu Giwa, 31
- Esther Agbarakwe, 31
- Obieze Nwanna Nzewunwa, 31
- Ruqayya Nasir Sani, 28
CATEGORY 13: Arts & Culture
- Emmanuel Oyeleke, 28
- Ndidi Emefiele, 29
- Aderenle Sonariwo, 29 – Winner
- Osa Okunkpolor, 32
- Eniola Idera Wunmi, 22
CATEGORY 14: Creative Professional
- Obi “DJ Obi” Ajuonuma, 31
- Florence “DJ Cuppy” Ifeoluwa Otedola, 24
- Evans Akanno, 27 – Winner
- Isioma Osaje, 27
- George Okoro, 30
CATEGORY 15: Advocacy
- Wadi Ben-Hirki, 19
- Bukola Bolarinwa, 28 – Winner
- Samson Itodo, 30
- Toks Bakare, 31
- Imrana Alhaji Buba, 24
CATEGORY 16: Agriculture
- Julius Adewopo, 31 – Winner
- Abamu joseph, 25
- Shola Ladoja, 31
- Hamman Yerima Wabi, 24
- Ronke Aderinoye, 30
CATEGORY 17: Screen Producer
- James Omokwe, 32
- Mary Remmy Njoku, 31
- Asurf Oluseyi, 32
- Adeola Osunkojo, 30 – Winner
- Usman Ahmad Kabara, 31
CATEGORY 18: Journalism
- Fisayo Soyombo, 31
- Eromo Egbejule, 26
- Ogechi Ekeanyanwu, 31
- Yemisi Adegoke, 28
- Chika Sandra Oduah, 30 – Winner
CATEGORY 19: On Air Personality (visual)
- Bolanle ‘Bolinto’ Olukanni, 27 – Winner
- Stephanie Coker, 27
- Ehiz Okoeguale, 29
- Chukwuebuka ‘Chuey chu’ Okoye, 25
- Victor Mathias, 29
CATEGORY 20: On Air Personality (audio)
- Rolake Bello, 30
- Ayo Thompson, 30 – Winner
- Mohammed Yusuf Suleiman (Mowiz), 29
- Oluwakemi ‘Kemi Smallz’ Itari Catherine Owatemi, 25
- Jennifer Nzewunwah, 27
CATEGORY 21: Young Person of the Year
- Mark Okoye, 30 – Winner
- Ayodeji Ibrahim ‘Wizkid’ Balogun, 27
- John Boyega, 24
- Iyeh Kennedy, 21
- Dr Oluwo Adedunmola, 24
