President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been honoured with the prestigious Lifetime African Achievement Award by the Millennium Excellence Foundation (MEF), a respected Ghana-based organisation committed to recognising exemplary African leadership and impact. The award was conferred during a grand ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Millennium Excellence Prize, held in Kumasi, Ghana.
Represented at the event by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, President Tinubu expressed deep appreciation to the foundation and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for extending the honour and successfully hosting the milestone celebration.
In his remarks delivered by Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Tinubu praised the foundation’s enduring commitment to celebrating individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Africa’s growth and transformation. He said, “I salute the visionaries who have nurtured this institution for a quarter of a century and celebrate the values of honour, integrity, service, and excellence that underpin its work.”
He commended the Millennium Excellence Foundation for identifying and celebrating “Africa’s shining lights” — individuals whose legacies have inspired generations and uplifted the continent. Notable past recipients of the award include global icons such as the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Sudanese-British philanthropist Dr. Mo Ibrahim.
The president used the occasion to encourage Africa’s youth to rise with courage and commitment, contributing meaningfully in the fields of science, technology, education, governance, entrepreneurship, and the arts. According to Tinubu, a united and prosperous Africa can only be achieved through deliberate efforts to foster leadership, innovation, and cross-border cooperation.
He also urged all Africans to work closely in shaping a shared destiny, stating that the recognition offered by the Millennium Excellence Foundation should serve as a clarion call for young leaders to embrace excellence and public service.
“The award ceremony, from its inception in 1988, has remained a beacon of inspiration and recognition across the continent,” Tinubu noted. “Its mission of identifying, celebrating, and supporting those who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of African development resonates deeply with Nigeria’s aspirations and that of all African nations.”
The 2025 ceremony also honoured other distinguished personalities. Dr. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM), received the Global Intra-African Trade Excellence award. Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, was recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Prize for Governance and Public Service, while BUA Group Chairman, Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu, was honoured for African Excellence in Business. Additionally, Dumo Lulu-Briggs received the African Traditional Leadership and Business Excellence award.
The event gathered influential African leaders, business moguls, traditional rulers, and international diplomats in a show of unity and shared vision for the continent’s progress. The Millennium Excellence Foundation’s award continues to serve as a catalyst for positive change by spotlighting individuals whose contributions align with Africa’s developmental goals.
The recognition of President Tinubu marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s diplomatic and leadership image across the continent, reinforcing the country’s role in steering pan-African cooperation and strategic governance.
With this award, Tinubu joins a select circle of African leaders who have demonstrated a consistent track record of advocacy, policy impact, and commitment to continental advancement.