Internationally acclaimed Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Chief Executive Officer of Oceanwave Group, Peter Dunia, have been named the Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX) 2026 Woman and Man of the Year, respectively, following a nationwide public voting exercise.
The awards recognise outstanding achievements in governance, business, innovation, entrepreneurship, public service, philanthropy, humanitarian service and sustainable development.
According to a statement issued by the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LEEX, Oscar Awowari, the online voting exercise attracted millions of votes from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, reflecting growing public interest in celebrating exemplary leadership and national development.
In the Woman of the Year category, Adichie secured 826,097 votes to defeat the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, who polled 287,569 votes, while the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Amina Mohammed, received 152,853 votes.
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Awowari said Adichie’s recognition acknowledges her global contributions to literature, education and advocacy for gender equality, social justice and human dignity.
In the Man of the Year category, Dunia polled 2,189,857 votes to emerge winner ahead of the Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, Femi Otedola, who garnered 1,083,683 votes, and the Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Oil & Gas Services Ltd., Ekeoma Ekeoma, who received 485,308 votes.
According to Awowari, Dunia’s emergence reflects his contributions to Nigeria’s maritime and energy sectors, as well as his philanthropic interventions in education, healthcare, youth empowerment and community development.
He said the successful conclusion of the voting process underscored LEEX’s commitment to promoting credible leadership recognition and celebrating individuals whose contributions continue to make meaningful impact across society.
Commenting on the outcome, Chairman of the LEEX Local Organising Committee, Prof. B. I. Babafemi, and the committee’s Secretary, Mr. Emeh Anya, described Adichie and Dunia as exceptional leaders whose impact transcends their respective professions.
They said the emergence of both winners reflected the confidence reposed in them by millions of voters, describing them as role models whose accomplishments continue to inspire positive change across Africa.
The organisers also disclosed that the awards have received endorsement from the African Union–African Film Institute (AU-AFI), further strengthening the platform’s continental recognition.
Previous recipients of the LEEX Man of the Year Award include Tony O. Elumelu, Peter Obi and Abdul Samad Rabiu, while past Woman of the Year recipients include Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Adaora Umeoji and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Adichie and Dunia, alongside more than 20 other distinguished recipients, will be honoured at the 8th Leadership Excellence Awards ceremony scheduled for November 12, 2026, at the Nigerian Air Force Banquet Hall, Abuja.
The organisers thanked participants for their support and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining a transparent, credible and independently monitored awards process.
