The Future Awards Africa 2022: All the winners

Presented by social enterprise The Future Project, the awards celebrate outstanding young people between the ages of 18 and 31 across various fields. This year’s edition ran under the theme, Celebrating Challengers and Builders, and honoured “trailblazers that have chosen to defy the status quo and redefine the norm in their various fields within the past year,” the organisers said. 

The ‘Crazy Tings’ singer, who shot to international acclaim last year with her appearance on records by global stars including Wizkid and Drake, beat fellow musicians Joeboy, Fireboy DML, Ayra Starr, Ckay, Omah Lay and Bnxn, the artist formerly known as Buju, to win the 2022 TFAA prize for music.

The award also adds to notable accomplishments by the singer, who recently inked a record deal with Since ’93/RCA Records. Tems is up for three trophies at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards in the US on 26 February. Her appearance on Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ has also secured her a Best Global Music Performance nomination at the 64th annual Grammys scheduled for April. 

“With the collapse and restructuring of systems that have occurred in Nigeria in recent times, it is expedient that we celebrate young African leaders who have worked tirelessly to advance the continent through contributions made in their various fields,” The Future Project senior advisor Bukonla Adebakin said ahead of this year’s ceremony. “We owe most of Africa’s progress to these young people who are moving the needle and shaping narratives. We are delighted to honour not just them but the amazing work they have done. They have proved that they’re not just the leaders of tomorrow but the legends of today.”

Previous TFAA winners included Wizkid, who won the 2017 prize for Young Person of the Year, as well as Davido and Burna Boy, who won the music categories in 2017 and 2019, respectively. 

Below is the full list of winners:

The Future Awards Africa prize for music

• Joseph 'Joeboy' Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus (24)
• Adedamola 'Fireboy' Ade Folahan (26)
• Oyinkansola 'Ayra Starr' Aderibigbe (19)
• Chukwuka 'Ckay' Ekweani (26)
• Stanley 'Omah Lay' Didia (24)
• Daniel 'Buju' Benson (24)
• Temilade 'Tems' Openiyi (26) 

The Future Awards Africa prize for content creation

• Isaac 'Zicsaloma' Aloma (30)
• Tayo Aina (29) 
• Onyekelu 'Jenni Frank' Jennifer Ebere (27)
• Apaokagi 'Taaooma' Maryam (22)
• Emmanuel 'Mr Funny' Ejekwu (26)
• Tobi 'Street Church' Oreoluwa (31)

 The Future Awards Africa prize for advocacy and activism

• Solomon Ayodele (29)
• Wilson Atumeyi (29)
• Rinu Oduala (23)
• Fatima Tafoki (24)
• Naima Idris Usman (27)
• Shedrack Danladi (29)

The Future Awards Africa prize for community action

• Vera David-Emesiobum (31)
• Tunde Onakoya (27) 
• Blessing Ingyape (31)
• Saratu Ishaya Abdullahi (27)
• Aliyu Sadiq (24)
• Ibrahim 'Flag boy' Adebanjo Akinwunmi (25)

The Future Awards Africa prize for professional service

• Adeyemi Adetunji (29)
• Daphne Akatugba (31)
• David Oyawoye (24)
• Khalil Nur Khalil (28)
• Abiodun Animashaun (30)
• Blossom Egbude (24)

The Future Awards Africa prize for acting

• Teniola Aladese (28)
• Maryam Yahhaya (24)
• Nengi Adoki (31)
• Temi Ami-Williams (24)
• Emeka Nwagbaraocha (24)
• Abayomi Alvin (27)
• Bimbo Ademoye (30) 

The Future Awards Africa prize for journalism

• S.I Ohumu (26) 
• Abdulbaqi Aliyu Jari (30)
• Laila Johnson-Salami (25)
• Yvonne Okhaifoh (28)
• Chisom Peter Job (19)
• Agbaje Ayomide (22)
• Elfredah Kevin-Alerechi (32)

The Future Awards Africa prize for lawyers

• Oyinkansola 'Foza' Fawehinmi (25) 
• Mobolaji Oriola (27)
• Damilola Wright (29)
• Iredumare Opeyemi (32)
• Oluwaseun Ayansola (27)
• Kelechi Ibe (27)

The Future Awards Africa prize for film

• Akay Mason (28)
• Kayode Kasum (30) 
• Dada 'Oluwadabest' Temitope (29)
• Victor Edem (25)
• Nora Awolowo (22)
• Abdul Tijani 'Abdul TJ" Ahmed (27)

The Future Awards Africa prize for entrepreneurship

• Omoye Abulimen (28)
• Olatunji Adenike Rukayat (28)
• Lade Lois Olaiya (27)
• Jerry Mallo (27)
• Jumoke Dada (27)
• Ore Runsewe (31)
• Joel Ogunsola (28)

The Future Awards Africa prize for technology

• Kennedy Ekezie (24) 
• Abubakar Nur Khalil (22)
• Dare Adekoya (22)
• Yanmo Omoregbe (28)
• Timi Ajiboye (28)
• Hanu Fejiro (26)
• Eluan Ben (24)

The Future Awards Africa prize for art and literature

• Chigozie Obi (24)
• Mayowa 'Shutabug' Alabi (27)
• Niyi Okeowo (27)
• Renike Olusanya (27)
• Eloghosa Osunde (29)
• T.J Benson (30)
• Arinze Ifeakandu (27)

The Future Awards Africa prize for health and wellness

• Dr Chinonso 'Aproko Dr' Egemba (31)
• Dr Chioma 'Dr Zobo' Nwakanma (29)
• Dr Princess Ifeoma Ike (29)
• Dr Cassandra Akinde (30) 
• Dr Opeyemi Adeyemi (29)
• Dinatu Emmanuel Ishaka (26)
• Odunola Olabintan (25)

The Future Awards Africa prize for academic achievement

• Mufid Sulaiman Abubakar (29)
• Ikanna Okim (23)
• Asaka Ewerechukwu Favour (21)
• Goodness Adesewa (24)
• Uchechi Promise Echefu (29)
• Joseph Oloruntola Adeola (28)
• Uzoaku Odinachukwu Amadi (24)
• Joy Adesina (24)
• Elizabeth Ekeoseye (21)

The Future Awards Africa prize for fashion

• Weiz Dhurm Franklyn (30) 
• KIING DAVIIDS (28)
• Temitayo Ilesanmi Nathan (28)
• Seun Olopade (28)
• Bolajo Fawehinmi (30)
• Mariam Afolabi (28)
• Davou Pwajok (24)

The Future Awards Africa prize for service to young people

• Femi Falana
• Tony Elumelu
• Aisha Yesufu
• Dr Akintoye Akindele
• Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi
• Atedo Peterside
• Olowogboyega A. Olayemi

The Future Awards Africa prize for young person of the year

• Mohamed Salah (Egypt) (29)
• Angeline Makore (Zimbabwe) (32)
• Jerry Mallo (Nigeria) (27)
• Andrea Iyamah (Nigeria) (28) 
• Lelise Neme (Ethiopia) (29)