Africa’s newest generation of most promising changemakers took to the stage at the 19th edition of the Future Awards Africa. Held at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, the night honored the bold changemakers who carry Africa towards the future on all fronts.
The celebration, themed “Threads of Legacy,” brought with it a star-studded audience, including creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs whose work contributes to redefining the African continent. The event was brilliantly co-hosted by Nollywood actor Mike Afolarin and media personality Azeezah Hashim, who dazzled onstage as the first-ever host from East Africa.
The red carpet showed off several major personalities, including former Big Brother Naija housemate Sabrina Idukpaye, along with co-hosts Desmond Ekunwe and Adaeze Aduka. Their interviews captured the spirit of the evening, from earnest to electric moments.
Singers Savy Henry and Naomi Mac set a soothing tone as the guests arrived, with music that gave an elegant start to the night.
One of this year’s standout additions was the first-ever live podcast that was recorded on the TFAA red carpet. Lynda Aguocha, the brains behind the CreativiTea podcast, hosted the segment, providing an intimate space for guests to openly share their experiences. The conversations were candid and thoughtful, introducing a fresh look to the red carpet along with the giant teacup booth. A Siri Perfumed Soap “Glow Into The Future” stand also soaked up much attention, being one of the most photographed experiences at the awards.
Ayodeji Razaq, Executive Director of the awards, addressed the significance of the night’s celebrations, speaking about legacy not as a single achievement, but as the sum of everyday choices and actions. His words hit their mark, acting as a reminder that the future of Africa is being stitched together by young and bold individuals who are unafraid to lead, create, challenge, and disrupt.
The 2025 TFAA took a significant step forward by introducing a brand-new category specifically for performing arts. Olugbesan Olatubosun (Big Bimi) eventually received the award. The beloved hype man being the recipient of this award proved to be a revolutionary moment for the art form, with it being the first instance where hype culture has been given recognition at an award show.
The evening’s celebrations also paid a lovely tribute to Dan Foster, an on-air personality, along with a lineup of performances. Nigerian music legends Faze and Ruggedman rewound time back to the early 2000s with hits that triggered instant nostalgia. Zadok gave off an impressive stage presence, while songwriter and poet Dwin The Stoic delivered a soulful set that moved the audience in the best way. The night came to an end with Dotti the Deity delivering a performance full of passion, bringing a balanced end to the emotional night.
The event also included numerous awards, the Entrepreneurship award being given to Tomike Adeoye, the Young Person of the Year to Fola David, and Mariam Apaokagi receiving the award for Content Creation. Their accomplishments embodied the essence of the evening, commemorating the redefining of possibilities by African youth.
