By Margaret Ebeshi, Abuja
It was a night of glamour, recognition, and celebration as top Nollywood personalities and other distinguished Nigerians were honoured at the 2025 Nigeria’s Pride Awards held in Abuja, Nigeria.
The event, which drew stakeholders from various sectors, celebrated excellence in entertainment, governance, entrepreneurship, leadership, and humanitarian service.
The awards seek to identify and celebrate citizens and residents who have distinguished themselves through patriotism, selfless service, and impactful leadership, contributing to Nigeria’s development and unity.
Chaired by General Paul Boroh (Rtd), the former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, the event featured Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, as Guest Speaker.
Also in attendance was Dr. Sarah Jibrin, former Presidential Adviser on Ethics and Moral Values, who graced the ceremony as Mother of the Day.
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In the movie category, Gloria Okafor emerged as Best Movie Producer of the Year, while popular actress Tonto Dikeh bagged two honours: Help of the Needy Award for her philanthropic works and Special Recognition in Humanitarian Service.
Empress Njamah was named Lifetime Nigerian Actress of the Decade, and fast-rising star Sandra Okunzuwa won Best Actress of the Year.
Other notable winners included Dr. Emeka Rollas, President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), who received Most Impactful Entertainment Personality of the Year, while AGN Vice President Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu was honoured with the Outstanding Leadership Award.
Dr. Queen Blessing Ebigieson took home the title of Most Outstanding Movie Producer of the Decade.
Additional honorees in the Nollywood category were Emeka Duru (Most Impactful Movie Personality of the Year), Hajia Rekiya Ibrahim Attah (Lifetime Motivational Personality in Movie and Entertainment Media Production), and Emeka Okoye (Best Actor in Comedy).
Others were Etinosa Idemudia (Best Actress in Comedy), Chidi Anyanwu (Best Movie Director of the Year), and Luchy Donalds (Best Motivational/Innovative Actress of the Year).
Beyond entertainment, awards were also presented to eminent Nigerians in other fields.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State won Best Governor on Road Infrastructure and Best Governor on Community Empowerment.
Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, received Shield of the Nation, while Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, was named Most Impactful Minister of the Year.
Others recognized included Senator Ireti Kingibe (Most Grassroots-Oriented Politician of the Year); Dangote Group and its Group Head of Corporate Communications, Anthony Chiejina (Most Impactful Corporate Marketing Officer of the Year); DG of NTA, Salihu Abdulhamid Dambos (Outstanding Leadership Award); ACCI CEO Sir Jideani Agabaidu (Most Gender-Inclusive CEO of the Year), and Hon. Rinsola Abiola, DG of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), who was honoured as Exemplary Young Corporate CEO of the Year.
Other awardees included Chi-Tola Roberts (Pillar of Support and Empowerment of Women in Agriculture); Hajia Mariam Aliyu Abdullahi (Jagaban Matan Zaria) (Champion of Hope for the Needy), and Hajia Zainab Abdulrahman (Outstanding Human-Oriented Public Service Award).
The 2025 Nigeria’s Pride Awards once again underscored the importance of recognizing excellence, patriotism, and selfless contribution to nation-building—celebrating Nigerians who continue to inspire progress both at home and abroad.