The National Youth Congress of Nigeria (NYCN) has unveiled its 2025 list of honorees.
The national youths’ body has named eight distinguished Nigerians as the ‘Outstanding Personalities’ of the year.
Those listed for the awards include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas; Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Others are: Governors Ahmed Ododo (Kogi) Mohammed Umaru Bago (Niger); Senator Basheer Lado, and Judith Ogbara.
In a statement on the grand ceremony scheduled for today, the NYCN emphasised that the awards were not routine accolades but the result of a rigorous, independent selection process conducted only once a year.
It said the awards are reserved exclusively for leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and measurable impact during the award period.
The NYCN dubbed the awards as the “2025 Hall of Fame: Icons of Excellence”.
The organisers said the awardees were selected for their visionary governance, legislative excellence, and people-centred reforms.
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While Akpabio is recognised as an Icon of Parliamentary Excellence and Uncommon Leadership for his stabilising role in the National Assembly, Speaker Abbas is to be honoured as an Icon of Legislative Excellence and Leadership for his transformative legislative agenda.
Bago is distinguished as the Best Governor in Agriculture and Empowerment for his landmark ‘Green Economy’ initiatives; Ododo is named Best Governor in Security and Youth Emancipation for his proactive safety measures and youth-focused governance.
Uzodimma is to be awarded Best Governor in National Development for his strategic contributions to national integration; Senator Lado, (Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters) is named an Icon of Legislative Prudence and Top-Notch Service Delivery for his mastery of executive-legislative synergy; Tunji-Ojo is recognised as the Outstanding Minister of the Year for his revolutionary reforms in internal security and passport processing, and Ogbara (Chairperson, GEEEEP) is singled out for honour as the Outstanding Female Emancipator of the Year for her tireless advocacy for girls and women development.
According to the NYCN, the awards serve to celebrate those whose contributions align with Nigeria’s developmental priorities and offer sustainable solutions to national challenges.
“We do not confer these honours lightly,” said a spokesperson for the congress, Babangida Onimisi Isah.
“By recognising these outstanding personalities of the year, we are setting a benchmark for integrity and performance. Each recipient has delivered tangible results that directly improve the lives of Nigerians, particularly the youth.”