HLF 2026 Awards Event Programme
1. Musical Introduction
Performance by The Ace Orchestra
Conductor: Clinton Akinkuolie
2. Welcome Remarks & Procession Announcement
The Master of Ceremonies welcomes guests and announces the commencement of the procession.
Procession Theme:
Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major – No. 8, Bourrée by George Frideric Handel
3. Procession
Procession of:
- Awardees
- Role Models
- Orators
- Presenters
to their designated tables and stage positions.
4. National Anthem
Performance by The Ace Orchestra
5. Opening Prayers
- Christian Prayer: Professor Jide Osuntokun
- Muslim Prayer: Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo
(President, Nigerian Academy of Science)
6. Chairman’s Opening Remarks
Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON, GCVO, CFR, HLR
Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
7. HLF Documentary Presentation
8. Welcome Address
By Chief Mrs. Patricia Otuedon-Arawore
Executive Secretary, HLF
9. Musical Interlude
Performance by The Ace Orchestra
(Two musical works)
AWARD PRESENTATIONS
CATEGORY 1
HLF Emeka Anyaoku Lifetime Achievement Award
Nigeria’s Outstanding International Icon
Awardee:
Professor Benedict Oramah, GCON
Former President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Afreximbank
Orator:
His Excellency Ambassador Geoffrey Onyeama, CON, HLR
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Award Presenter:
Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON, GCVO, CFR, HLR
Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
CATEGORY 2 – GOOD GOVERNANCE
HLF Role Model Award for Excellence in Leadership and Good Governance
Awardee:
Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, CFR
Former Head of Service and Secretary to the Government of the Federation
Orator:
Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo
President, Nigerian Academy of Science
Award Presenter:
Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON, GCVO, CFR, HLR
CATEGORY 3 – SCIENCE A
HLF Role Model Award for Outstanding Contributions in Science
Awardee:
Professor Adeyinka Falusi
Former Director, Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
Orator:
Professor Oladapo Adenrele Ashiru
Secretary-General, International Federation of Fertility Societies
Award Presenter:
Professor Anya O. Anya, NNOM, OFR
Former President, Nigerian Academy of Science
CATEGORY 3 – SCIENCE B
HLF Role Model Award for Outstanding Contributions in Science
Awardee:
Professor Francisca Nneka Okeke
Professor of Physics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Orator:
Professor Oladapo Alabi Ladipo, OON, HLR
Award Presenter:
Professor Anya O. Anya, NNOM, OFR
CATEGORY 4 – EDUCATION A
HLF Umaru Shehu Lifetime Achievement Award
For Consistent Advocacy for Positive Change within the University System
Awardee:
Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka
Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan
Orator:
Emeritus Professor Akinjide Osuntokun, OON, HLR
Award Presenter:
Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo
President, Nigerian Academy of Science
CATEGORY 4 – EDUCATION B
HLF Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions in Education
Awardee:
His Excellency Professor Placid Njoku
Former Deputy Governor of Imo State and Former Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike
Orator:
Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro, FNIAS, FNSAP, FAS, HLR
Former Executive Secretary, TETFund
Award Presenter:
Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo
CATEGORY 4 – EDUCATION C
HLF Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions in Education
Awardee:
Aare Afe Babalola, CON, OFR, SAN
(Taped Award Presentation – Maximum 3 Minutes)
CATEGORY 9 – MEDIA
HLF Christopher Kolade Award for Excellence in Leadership and Professionalism in the Media
Awardee:
Malam Kabiru Yusuf
Chairman, Media Trust Group
Orator:
Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, HLR
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Premium Times
Award Presenter:
Mr. John Momoh, OON, HLR
Chairman/CEO, Channels Television
CATEGORY 7 – AGRICULTURE & FOOD SECURITY
HLF Award for Outstanding Contributions to Research, Innovation and Value Chain Development Towards Food Security
Awardee:
Professor Oseyemi Akinbamijo
Orator:
Professor Uche Veronica Amazigo
Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Science
Award Presenter:
Chief Dr. Mrs. Onikepo Akande, OON, CON, HLR
19. Musical Interlude
Performance by The Ace Orchestra
(Two musical works)
CATEGORY 6 – LAW A
HLF Role Model Award for Exemplary/Courageous Contributions to the Advancement of the Legal System
Awardee:
Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi, SAN
Former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice
Orator:
Emeritus Professor Akinjide Osuntokun, OON, HLR
Award Presenter:
Justice Ayo Salami, CFR, OFR, HLR
Former President, Nigerian Court of Appeal
CATEGORY 6 – LAW B
HLF Role Model Award for Exemplary/Courageous Contributions to the Advancement of the Legal System – Adjudication
Awardee:
Hon. Justice James Ogebe
Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
Orator:
H.E. Ambassador Mariam Katagum, CON, FCOL, HLR
Award Presenter:
Justice Ayo Salami, CFR, OFR, HLR
CATEGORY 5 – MEDICINE A
HLF Role Model Award for Outstanding Contributions in Medicine
Awardee:
Professor Friday Okonofua
Pioneer Vice-Chancellor, UNIMED, Ondo
Orator:
Emeritus Professor Osato Giwa-Osagie, OON, HLR
President, Academy of Medical Sciences
Award Presenter:
Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON, GCVO, CFR, HLR
CATEGORY 5 – MEDICINE B
HLF Role Model Award for Outstanding Contributions in Medicine
Awardee:
Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole
Former Minister of Health
Orator:
Professor Olufemi Oladipo Adelowo, HLR
Award Presenter:
Representative of the Governor of Lagos State
Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin
Secretary to the State Government
CATEGORY 10 – POSTHUMOUS AWARDS
1. Chinua Achebe
Orator: Mrs. Sola Momoh
Vice Chair, Channels Media Group
Award Presenter:
Uncle Sam Amuka-Pemu
Publisher/Founder, Vanguard Newspapers
2. Gani Fawehinmi
Orator: Mrs. Sola Momoh
Award Presenter:
Representative of the Governor of Lagos State
Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin
3. Pius Okigbo
Orator: Professor Adele Jinadu, HLR
Award Presenter:
Representative of the Governor of Lagos State
Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin
4. Kofi Annan
Orator:
Barrister Henry Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, OFR, HLR
Award Presenter:
General T.Y. Danjuma, GCON, HLR
Chairman, T.Y. Danjuma Foundation
5. Nelson Mandela
Orator:
Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Award Presenter:
General T.Y. Danjuma, GCON, HLR
CATEGORY 11 – YOUNG ACHIEVER’S AWARD
Best Overall Public Secondary School in WASSCE Results (2025)
Awardee:
Matar Amabilis Secondary School, Umuoji, Anambra State
Orator:
Master of Ceremonies
Award Presenter:
Chief Mrs. Patricia Otuedon-Arawore
Executive Secretary, HLF
Supported By:
- Chevron – Mr. Tunde Oyadiran
- Channels Media Group – Mr. & Mrs. John Momoh
26. Response on Behalf of All Awardees
By Professor Benedict Oramah
27. Vote of Thanks
By Chief Mrs. Patricia Otuedon-Arawore
Executive Secretary, HLF