The National Youth Congress of Nigeria (NYCN) has officially announced the distinguished recipients of its prestigious 2025 awards, set to be conferred in a grand ceremony. A total of eight prominent Nigerian leaders have been selected for their exceptional contributions to governance and national development.
Rigorous Selection for Exceptional Leaders
In a statement released ahead of the event, the NYCN clarified that these accolades are not routine. The organisation emphasised that the honourees were chosen through a rigorous and independent selection process conducted only once a year. This process is specifically designed to identify leaders who have demonstrated measurable impact and visionary leadership throughout the award period.
The awards ceremony, dubbed the '2025 Hall of Fame: Icons of Excellence', is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. The NYCN stated that the purpose of the honours is to celebrate individuals whose work aligns with Nigeria's core developmental priorities and offers sustainable solutions to pressing national challenges.
Meet the 2025 Icons of Excellence
The list of awardees features a blend of legislative heads, ministers, and state governors recognised for their specific areas of excellence.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio is to be honoured as an Icon of Parliamentary Excellence and Uncommon Leadership. This recognition is for his pivotal role in ensuring stability and effective leadership within the National Assembly.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, will receive the award for Icon of Legislative Excellence and Leadership. This accolade celebrates his transformative legislative agenda which has shaped national policy.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is named the Outstanding Minister of the Year. The NYCN cites his revolutionary reforms in Nigeria's internal security architecture and the passport processing system as key reasons for this honour.
On the subnational level, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State is distinguished as the Best Governor in National Development for his strategic efforts toward national integration. Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State is recognised as Best Governor in Security and Youth Emancipation, praised for proactive safety measures and youth-centric governance.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State earns the title of Best Governor in Agriculture and Empowerment, a nod to his landmark 'Green Economy' initiatives that are transforming the agricultural sector.
Also on the list are Senator Basheer Lado, the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, who is named an Icon of Legislative Prudence and Top-notch Service Delivery for mastering executive-legislative relations. Honourable Judith Ogbara, Chairperson of GEEEEP, is singled out as the Outstanding Female Emancipator of the Year for her relentless advocacy for the development of girls and women across Nigeria.
Setting a Benchmark for Performance
The NYCN has positioned these awards as a tool for setting high standards in public service. A spokesperson for the Congress stated that the honours are not conferred lightly. "By recognising these outstanding personalities of the year, we are setting a benchmark for integrity and performance," the spokesperson said.
The organisation further explained that each recipient was chosen for delivering tangible results that directly improve the lives of Nigerian citizens, with a particular focus on the youth demographic. The awards thus serve as both recognition and a call for continued excellence in leadership that addresses the nation's most critical needs.
