Lagos: The Independent Newspapers Ltd., publishers of the Independent Newspaper, is gearing up for its 2026 annual awards, which will coincide with its Silver Jubilee anniversary.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Chairman of the Awards Committee, Mr. Yemi Adebisi, announced at a media briefing in Lagos that the awards would feature 25 categories, each with three nominees. The categories will cover business, governance, and key sectors of the Nigerian economy. Noteworthy awards include Man of the Year, Financial Sector Regulator of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement.
The annual ceremony is scheduled for April 18 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. A significant change in this year’s ceremony is the involvement of the public in the voting process. The 2026 edition marks the organisation’s Silver Jubilee, coinciding with its 25th year of existence.
Nominations will be evaluated by a board of editors, an independent jury, and respected Nigerians to ensure credibility, fairness, and transparency. The final shortlist will be publicly announced. Nomination opens on January 15 and closes on February 12, with the shortlist announcement on March 31. Public voting will occur from March 31 to April 14, culminating in the awards ceremony on April 18.
Nominees will be judged based on measurable impacts, innovation, leadership, sustainability, contribution to national development, and adherence to ethical standards. They must be Nigerian citizens or organisations operating in Nigeria, with achievements in 2025. Organisations must be duly registered and operational in Nigeria, and public officials must be currently serving or have served in the specified period.
The event will be themed ‘Gamechangers, Breaking Barriers and Shaping Tomorrow’. Adebisi encouraged media professionals to use their platforms to contribute to the event’s success.