Future Awards Africa 2025 winners include Fola David, Rasheedat Ajibade, Taaooma, and Ali Baba for innovation, leadership, and creative excellence

The Future Awards Africa 2025 celebrated Africa’s brightest young achievers at a glamorous ceremony held on Sunday at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.

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Themed “Threads of Legacy,” the 19th edition of the prestigious awards recognised individuals shaping Africa’s future through innovation, creativity, leadership, and entrepreneurship across sectors including governance, technology, sports, arts, and public service.

Hosted by Nollywood actor Mike Afolarin and media personality Azeezah Hashim, the event brought together notable figures from entertainment, business, and government in an evening that blended style with substance.

Top winners and highlights

1. Fola David, a medical doctor and visual artist known for merging creativity with social impact, was named Young Person of the Year.
2. Mariam “Taaooma” Apaokagi won the Prize for Content Creation.
3. Rasheedat Ajibade, Super Falcons forward, received the Prize for Sports for her outstanding contributions to football.
4. Ali Baba, veteran comedian and mentor, was honoured with the Prize for Service to Young People for decades of mentorship in the creative industry.

Other category winners highlighted the diverse talent across the continent, recognising achievements in arts, technology, entrepreneurship, activism, and more.

Full list of Future Awards Africa 2025 winners

• Creativity & Innovation: Taiwo Abisoye Joel
• Photography: Amazing Klef
• Education: John Onuigbo
• Journalism: Madina Dahiru Maishanu
• Content Creation: Mariam Apaokagi
• Health & Wellness: Funmilola Aderemi
• Community Action: Hammed Kayode Alabi
• Arts: Ayobola Kekere-Ekun
• Literature: Adedayo Agarau
• Activism & Advocacy: Solomon Ayodele (Boys Quarters Africa)
• Fashion: Richmond Barnes (Will and Barnes Group)
• Law: Ogenetega Adedipe
• Film: Oluwadamilola Apampa
• Professional Service: Bode Roberts
• Entrepreneurship: Tomike Adeoye
• Technology: Kelvin Umechukwu
• Performing Arts: Big Bimi
• Intrapreneurship: Solomon Ayodele
• On-Air Personality: Azeezah Hashim (Kenya)
• Agriculture: Adetiloye Aiyeola
• Governance: Daniel Otabor
• Music: Okeowo Oladotun Alani
• Sports: Rasheedat Ajibade
• Acting: Adebowale Adedayo
• Service to Young People (Honorary): Ali Baba
• Young Person of the Year: Fola David

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The Future Awards Africa 2025 reinforced its mission to celebrate and inspire young African leaders, highlighting the continent’s emerging innovators and changemakers who are shaping a brighter future.