The Future Awards Africa 2024: All the winners

Now in its 18th year, the scheme celebrates outstanding young Africans aged 18 to 31 across various fields, including music, film, sport and advocacy, among others.

Bnxn, behind well-known tracks such as ‘Lenu’, ‘Kilometer’ and ‘Kenkele’, beat fellow fast-rising acts Qing Madi, Ruger, Young Jonn, and AnEndlessOcean. 

Formerly known as Buju, Bnxn began his music career in 2015, and cites 2Baba and Burna Boy among his technical models. He released his debut EP, Sorry I’m Late, in 2021, which included collaborations with The Cavemen and Rexxie. In 2022, he rebranded to Bnxn, collaborated with Pheelz on ‘Finesse’, and released the Bad Since ’97 EP, featuring Wizkid and Olamide. He won The Headies 2022 Next Rated award and released his debut album Sincerely, Benson in 2023. In 2024, Bnxn joined forces with Ruger for a seven-track collection titled RnB.

Ahead of the awards, TFAAs executive director Ayodeji Razaq described this year’s nominees as a group that “exemplifies the best of our continent,” adding: “Their audacious vision and groundbreaking accomplishments have earned them a rightful place among the ‘Great and Daring.’ We are honoured to celebrate their contributions and look forward to the transformative work they will continue to do.”

Last year, Afrobeats singer Asake clinched the TFAAs music prize, beating fellow Nigerian act Ayra Starr, Cameroon’s Libianca, French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura, and French singer-songwriter of Cameroonian origin Tayc.

Other musicians who have won the TFAAs in the past include Tems in 2022, Wizkid, who won the 2017 Young Person of the Year award, as well as Davido and Burna Boy in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Below is the full list of winners:

Music

• Chimamanda Chukwuma Pearl (Qing Madi)
• Ayobami Alli-Hakeem (AnEndlessOcean)
• Daniel Etiese Benson (BNXN)
• Michael Adebayo Olayinka (Ruger)
• John Saviours Udomboso (Young John)

Education

• Odunayo Aliu
• Kudakwashe Foya
• Obasanjo Fajemirokun
• Jennifer Jonathan
• Aramide Kayode

Journalism

• Adesuwa Giwa Osagie
• Zainab Bala
• Blessings Mosugu
• Eniola Olatunji
• Abubakar Ibrahim Olaye

Content Creation (Endowed by Infinix Mobility)

• Isaac Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi)
• Winifred Nwania (Zeelicious)
• Joseph Onaolapo (Jay On Air)
• Nonye Udeogu (This Thing Called Fashion)
• Folagade Banks (Mama Deola)

Creativity and Innovation

• Shamsuddeen Jibril
• Zonna (Zo Culture)
• Anita Ashiru
• Salvation Uzoma (Ke0la)
• Ibukunoluwa Ajagbe (IBQuake)

Health and Wellness

• Olabintan Odunola
• Yewande Benn
• Kiki Diorgu
• Olusina Ajidahun
• Amanda Ihemebiri

Community Action

• Chioma Ukpabi
• Damilola Uzoma-Udoma
• Doreen Omosele
• Stanley Anigbogu
• Ridwan AbdulRazaq

Arts and Literature

• Mayowa Alabi (ShutaBug)
• Samson Bakare
• Sylvestre Nsengimana
• Ahmed Alsagheer
• Damilare Kuku

Photography

• Omoboyejo Oyewusi (ItsBoye)
• Onuchukwu Timothy (MyDadsBoss)
• Chika Onuu
• Enoshowo Eworo (Captured by Adesuwa)
• Ifeoluwa Babalola (SnappCode)

Activism and Advocacy

• Fauzuddeen Mahmud
• Amrah Aliyu
• Jude McKelvin Oseh
• Tolulope Theresa Gbenro
• Mukthar Halilu Modibbo

Fashion

• Ikechukwu Urum (Founder Jabari Model Management)
• Phupho Gumede K
• Muftau Femi Ajose (Founder Cute Saint)
• Amy Aghomi
• Olayinka Ashogbon (Founder AshLuxe)

Law

• Rosemond Phil-Othihiwa
• Anita Osarieme
• Victoria Oloni
• Ayooluwa Oderinde
• Bernice Asein

Film

• Akinkunle Michael Akinrogunde (AMA Psalmist)
• Praise Onyeagwalam (Director Pink)
• Tola Okodugha
• Fadamana Okwong
• Feyifunmi Oginni

Professional Service

• Hammed Kayode Alabi
• Mark-Anthony Ezeoha
• Felix Ohaeri
• Stanley Nweke-Eze
• Aboyowa Ikpobe

Entrepreneurship

• Promise Ovai Kenneth-Odum (CEO Rukkies Decor)
• Oluwole Fapohunda (CEO Seven30 Real Estate Ltd)
• Bayo Lawal (Co-Founder Dukiya Investment)
• Miracle Onuoha (CEO The Fluiide Company Ltd)
• Williams Fatayo (CEO MovebytruQ)

Technology

• Tobi Ololade (Founder Dojah)
• Itunu Olufemi (Founder Brainary Technology Education)
• Johnson Jaiyeola (CEO Helgg Scooters LTD)
• Femi Aluko (CEO & Co-Founder Chowdeck Logistics)
• Kelvin Umechukwu (CEO & Co-Founder Bumpa)

Intrapreneurship (Endowed by Vesti)

• Victor Okpala
• Hakeem Akiode
• Debbie Larry-Izamoje
• Mary Edoro
• Salman Dantata

On Air Personality

• Seyebomi Ogunsanya (Sheye Banks)
• Ope Keshinro (SwitOpe)
• Ita Nsikan-Abasi Asuquo (Grandprince Ita)
• Emmanuella Isioma Odiatu
• Osato Edokpayi (Osato EDK)

Agriculture

• Etimbuk Imuk
• Esohe Ekunwe
• Azeez Salawu
• Nyifamu Manzo

Governance

• Muhammad Sani Kassim
• Abdulhaleem Ringim
• Damilola Yusuf Adelodun
• Naufal Ahmad
• Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade

Sport

• Victor Boniface
• Ademola Lookman
• Sukurat Aiyelagbegan
• Amy Okonkwo
• Elizabeth Oshoba

Acting

• Genoveva Umeh
• Uche Montana
• Mike Afolarin
• Kayode Ojuolape
• Jide Oyegbile (J-Blaze)