The Future Awards Africa 2023: All the nominees

French singers of African descent Aya Nakamura and Tayc are also up for nominations in the music category, while music video director TG Omori, famed for his work with leading Afrobeats names like Asake and Davido, is shortlisted in the film category. 

Presented by social enterprise The Future Project, the awards celebrate outstanding young people between the ages of 18 and 31 in different fields. It spotlights and celebrates “trailblazers that have chosen to defy the status quo and redefine the norm in their various fields within the past year.” 

This year’s The Future Awards Africa will run under the theme, Defying Odds, Inspiring Greatness, and reward achievements in 25 categories, including dance, sport, film, entrepreneurship and tech. To be eligible for nomination, candidates must achieve significant, well-documented and accessible impact in Nigeria or globally within the past year.

Last year, at the 16th edition of the awards held in Lagos, Nigeria, singer Tems took home the music prize. Other past winners include Wizkid, who won the 2017 Young Person of the Year award, as well as Davido and Burna Boy, who won the music categories in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Music

• Ayra Starr
• Asake
• Libianca 
• Aya Nakamura
• Tayc

Dance

• Izzy Odigie 
• Regina Eigbe 
• Sherrie Silver
• Dream Catchers 

Film

• Abdulazeez Greene 
• TG Omori
• Ovi Odiete
• Nora Awolowo
• Steven Ndukwu 
• Ife Olujuyigbe
• Niyi Fagbemi
• Ifan Michael 

Young Person of the Year

• Hilda Baci 
• Oluwaseyi Moejoh 
• Victor Osimhen 
• Rena Wakama 
• Precious Eniayeka 
• Enioluwa Adeoluwa 

Education

• Aliu Toluwani Victor 
• Sultan Akintunde
• Demilade Adelaja 
• Adaora Nwodo
• Uchechi Rochas

Professional Service

• Oghenerukevwe Toka 
• Phoebe Dami-Asolo 
• Olubukayo Ewuoso
• Muhumuza Brian 
• Fatima Jimanate Umar 

Law

• Bioku Benjamin 
• Chidi Odoemenam 
• Damilola Wright 
• Toyin Aiyepola

Entrepreneurship

• Nathan Nwachukwu 
• Lukman Shobowale 
• Jumoke Dada
• Victor Ehindero 
• Miracle Nwachukwu 
• Victor Adegbile
• Bella Victor 
• Bright Sekoni 
• Sandra Chukwudozie 
• Noah Ibrahim 

Agriculture

• Emmanuel Negedu 
• Joshua Ifezue 
• Joshua Okpata 

Technology

• Weevil Company 
• Victor Fatanmi 
• David Onilude 
• Yanmo Omoregbe 
• Goodness Kayode
• Shodipo Ayomide
• Iyinoluwa Deborah Raj

Photography

• Chika Onuu 
• Opeyemi Femi Oke
• Deji Oluokun
• Ngozieme 
• Akindele Ibukun
• Bolarinwa (Horlaof Lagos)

Advocacy and Activism

• Muhammad Kolo Muhammad
• Odanye Kehinde
• Osariemen Grace Omoruyi 
• Tobiloba Osogbiye 

Sport

• Victor Osimhen 
• Tobi Amusan
• Asisat Oshoala
• Michelle Alozie 
• Mary Busayo Olatunji 
• Ese Brume

On-Air Personality

• Emmanuel Onwuka 
• Ilowitdflo 
• Karen Dimkpa
• Laila Johnson Salami
• Anita Akuffo
• Adesola Balikis 

Journalism

• Deborah Tolu Kayode
• Akinlade Abiodun 
• Pelumi Salako 
• Ore Ogunbiyi 

Intrapreneurship

• Tutu Adetunmbi 
• Solomon O. Ayodele
• Ernesto O. Dibia 
• Victor Okpala 
• Precious Akpan

Health and Wellness

• Mmekidmfon Umanah 
• Dr Princess Ike
• Emmanuel Oni
• Victor Amusan 

Fashion

• Uyiosa Omoregbe 
• Rhoda Aguonigho
• Thebetsile Thebe Magugu 
• Veekee James 
• Gbemisola Okunlola 

Acting

• Mike Afolarin 
• Rahama Sadau 
• Moshood Fattah 
• Emeka Nwagbaraocha
• Ama Qamata 
• Olumide Oworu
• Tobi Bakre 
• Genovevah Umeh 
• Scarlet Gomez 

Content Creation

• Layi Wasabi 
• Fisayo Fosudo 
• Eniola Korty Olanrewaju 
• Salem King 
• The Wisdom Man
• Maryam Apaokagi 
• Samuel A Perry (Broda Shaggi) 

Governance

• Hakeem Onasanya
• Igunbor Sarah 
• Mustapha Isa Ozo
• Seun Olufemi White
• Rukayatt Shittu
• Khalil 

Community Action

• GodsFavour Ahimisi 
• Ndasadu lau Idris Bilyaminu 
• Chioma Ukpabi
• Salawu Azeez 
• Iresalewa Muhammed Bello

Arts and Literature

• Haneefah Abdulraman 
• Michael Dubby 
• Morenike Olusanya 

Creativity and Innovation

• Victoria Adesanmi
• Hauwa Lawal 
• Babatunde Sanni
• Intissar Bashir Kurfi 
• Service to the Young
• Melody Fidel
• Bosun Tijani