Lagos is set to host a significant gathering of African leadership as the 13th edition of the Future Africa Leaders Awards prepares to take centre stage on New Year's Eve. The event will see former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo chairing the proceedings, while former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is slated to deliver the keynote address.
Event Details and Distinguished Guests
The awards ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, 31 December 2025, and will be integrated into a New Year's Eve service hosted by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the founder of LoveWorld Incorporated. The venue for this dual event is the Loveworld Crusade Ground located along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Asese, Ogun State, with a start time of 8:00 PM.
Former Kenyan Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka is also expected to attend as a special guest, adding to the high-profile nature of the evening. Mr. Kenyatta arrived in Lagos ahead of the event and was formally received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport by senior officials from LoveWorld Incorporated and the Future Africa Leaders Foundation.
Celebrating Impactful Leadership Across Africa
Now in its thirteenth year, the Future Africa Leaders Awards aims to identify and honour young individuals from across the continent who have shown exceptional leadership and created tangible social impact in their communities and fields. The focus areas for recognition span governance, entrepreneurship, education, technology, humanitarian service, and community development.
Dr. Olajumoke Ola-Akisanya, a senior executive officer with the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, explained that the awards seek to highlight leadership rooted in ethical practice and measurable results. For the 2025 edition, the foundation received over 200 applications from across Africa. After a rigorous selection process, 31 nominees were shortlisted based on criteria including innovation, social responsibility, and contributions to sustainable development.
A Platform for Reflection and Global Showcase
Organisers have positioned this year's ceremony as a moment for both celebration and reflection. Dr. Ola-Akisanya noted that it comes at a time when many African nations are confronting significant economic pressures, governance issues, and social inequalities. The involvement of former heads of state like Obasanjo and Kenyatta underscores the enduring interest of senior African political figures in initiatives that foster the next generation of leaders.
The integration of the awards into Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's widely broadcast New Year's Eve service is a strategic move. This service traditionally attracts a massive international audience, both in person and through various media platforms. This setup provides a unique opportunity to amplify the stories of the award recipients and the conversation around African leadership standards to a global viewership.
While analysts often remind that sustained leadership development requires more than awards—pointing to the need for long-term institutional support—platforms like the Future Africa Leaders Awards continue to play a vital role. They serve as important spaces for recognising role models and stimulating necessary dialogue about the qualities required for transformative leadership on the continent. The names of the 2025 award winners will be officially unveiled during the ceremony itself.
