Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, is set to chair the 2025 Future Africa Leaders Awards, with former Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, attending as Special Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker at the prestigious ceremony.
The awards, now in their 13th edition, will be held on Tuesday, December 31, during the New Year’s Eve Service with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome at the LoveWorld Crusade Ground along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Asese, Ogun State.
The programme is scheduled to commence at 8:00 p.m. and is expected to draw a large local and international audience.
Also expected at the high-profile event is former Kenyan Vice President, Rt. Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, who will attend as a guest, further underscoring the continental stature of the ceremony.
Ahead of the awards night, former President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived in Lagos and was received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport by a high-powered delegation of the Central Executive Council of LoveWorld Incorporated.
READ ALSO: Obasanjo identifies four strategic pillars to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security crisis
The delegation was led by the Highly Esteemed Rev. Tom Amenkhienan and included Rev. Ray Okocha, Pastor Ambrose Isesele, and the Executive Director of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, Dr. Deola Phillips, who also serves as the 14th Chief Executive Officer of LoveWorld Incorporated.
Speaking on the significance of the event, the Senior Executive Officer of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, organisers of the awards, Dr. Olajumoke Ola-Akisanya, described the 2025 edition as a reaffirmation of the foundation’s commitment to celebrating impactful leadership across the African continent.
“The Future Africa Leaders Awards has, over the years, remained a platform for celebrating visionary leaders whose work continues to drive positive change across Africa,” Ola-Akisanya said.
“The presence of respected statesmen such as President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Uhuru Kenyatta, and Rt. Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka further affirms the continental relevance and credibility of the awards.”
She disclosed that a total of 31 nominees emerged as finalists for honours at this year’s ceremony after a highly competitive selection process that attracted more than 200 applications from across Africa.
According to her, the shortlisted nominees represent diverse sectors, including governance, entrepreneurship, education, technology, social development, and humanitarian service.
“This year’s selection process was particularly rigorous,” she explained. “Our focus was on measurable impact, ethical leadership, innovation, and a clear commitment to Africa’s sustainable development. Only nominees who met these core values emerged as finalists.”
Dr. Ola-Akisanya also noted that hosting the awards during the New Year’s Eve Service with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome provides a unique platform to combine leadership recognition with reflection and inspiration as the continent ushers in a new year
“As we usher in the new year, the awards serve not only to recognise excellence but also to inspire a new generation of African leaders to pursue purpose-driven leadership with integrity and vision,” she added.
Over the past 13 years, the Future Africa Leaders Awards has grown into a respected continental platform for celebrating visionary and transformational leadership, while the New Year’s Eve Service with Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has become a globally recognised gathering, attracting participants from across Africa and around the world.