The Future Awards Africa 2026 has unveiled a list of nominees spanning music, sports, acting, technology, entrepreneurship, journalism and other professional fields, with Nigerian singer Shoday, track and field star Tobi Amusan and actress Bolaji Ogunmola among the names featured in this year’s nominations. Their inclusion brings attention to 3 different areas of achievement, while the wider list highlights young Africans making contributions across the continent.
The nominees for the 20th edition were announced on October 19, 2026, ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for November 2026. Carrying the theme “Celebrating The Redefiners: Africa’s AI Generation,” the edition recognises young Africans aged 18 to 35 across various industries, including entertainment, business, technology, governance, education and community development.
The Future Awards Africa marks its 20th anniversary
The Future Awards Africa, commonly known as TFAA, is an awards platform that recognises young Africans for their achievements, leadership, creativity and contributions to society. Its categories cover several professional and creative fields, bringing together individuals whose work reflects different aspects of African enterprise and talent.
The 2026 edition marks the 20th anniversary of the awards. Its theme, “Celebrating The Redefiners: Africa’s AI Generation,” highlights young Africans developing ideas, creating opportunities and contributing to their communities and industries.
The organisers announced the nominees on October 19, 2026, with the awards ceremony scheduled for November. The published announcement identifies the ceremony month but does not specify an exact date.
According to the organisers, the nominees will undergo an assessment process involving the awards jury and an Independent Audit Committee. The process will determine the eventual winners across the recognised categories.
Shoday earns a place among the Music nominees
Nigerian singer Shoday is among the nominees in the Music category, where he appears under his full name, Shodade Solomon Segun. His nomination places him alongside performers from Nigeria and Kenya, reflecting the awards’ recognition of musical talent across national boundaries.
Shoday shares the category with Kenyan singer Nikita Kering, Idris Lawal Oluwadamilare, popularly known as Oshamo, Samuel Damilare, known as Abefe, and Amalachukwu Okonkwo Chantell, who performs as Amma. The 5 nominees represent different musical identities within a category dedicated to recognising contributions to the music industry.
Tobi Amusan leads attention in the Sports category
Nigerian track and field athlete Tobi Amusan is nominated in the Sports category alongside Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, Nigerian footballer Ashleigh Plumptre, Kenyan athlete Emmanuel Wanyoyi and Nene Joy Ojo.
Amusan is internationally recognised for her achievements in the 100 metre hurdles. She won the event at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, becoming the first Nigerian athlete to win a world outdoor athletics title. She also set a world record of 12.12 seconds in the semifinal at that championship.
Her nomination places her among the athletes being considered for recognition at the 20th edition of The Future Awards Africa.
Bolaji Ogunmola earns an Acting nomination
Nigerian actress and filmmaker Bolaji Ogunmola is among the nominees for the Acting award, sharing the category with Teniola Aladese, Uche Montana, Rosman Sunshine and Taye Arimoro.
Ogunmola has built a career in the Nigerian entertainment industry through acting and filmmaking, with work spanning screen performances and film production. Her nomination places her among the performers being considered for recognition at the awards.
Full List of The Future Awards Africa 2026 Nominees
The published list features nominees from Nigeria and other African countries across the creative industries, business, technology, public service and other professional fields.
Photography
Agbaje Halimah
Daniel Msirikale
Oluwatosin Junaid
Chidubem Praise Nmeka
Stephen Tayo Ajibare
Technology and Innovation
Odunayo Eweniyi
Maxwell Opondo
Charles Mfouapon
Wendy Okolo
Yanmo Omorogbe
Music
Nikita Kering (Kenya)
Shodade Solomon Segun (Shoday)
Idris Lawal Oluwadamilare (Oshamo)
Samuel Damilare (Abefe)
Amalachukwu Okonkwo Chantell (Amma)
On Air Personality
Claudia Naisambwa Leshoomo (Kenya)
Joey Akan
Kanyinsola Olukoya
Nina Shaban (Kenya)
Onyinyechi Aderibigbe
Entrepreneurship
Iretidayo Zaccheaus
Keyinde and Taiwo Smith
Esther Uzodinma
Olamidun Ogundoyin
Adeola Adeyemi (Diiadem)
Governance
Emma Inamutila Theofelus
Rinsola Abiola
Abideen Olasupo
Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa
Khalil Nur Khalil
Advocacy and Activism
Aisha Hamman
Habib Sheidu
Violet Ejiata
Joshua Okoduwa
Oluwaseun Ikusika
Law
Dr Stanley U. Nweke-Eze
Taiwo Aromolaran
Maryam Dan-Habu
Oluwafunke Adeoye
Temijuopelo Alufa
Technology and Innovation
The organisers’ published list contains a second category under this name.
Justina Nwokedi
Chiemela Ebere
Martins Okechukwu
Elizabeth Chibuzor
Chiemela Anosike
Education
Princess Natasha Momoh
Monalisa Agbata
Israel Oyedare
Jennifer Jonathan
Gloria Babarinde
Journalism
Onyinyechi Obaroh Obaroh
Adesola Abisoye
Omolola Afolabi
Emmanuel Onwuka
Riyah Abdul
Agriculture
Chy Nwakanma
Titilayo Aisha Damilola
Funmilayo Famuyiwa
Chioma Aniagolu
Adaeze Ruth Okonmah
Professional Service
Fatou Jeng
Faith Emmanuel
Abraham Mbuthia
Ifeoluwa Ebiseni
Iheakachi Nwabueze
Sports
Letsile Tebogo (Botswana)
Ashleigh Plumptre
Tobi Amusan
Emmanuel Wanyoyi (Kenya)
Nene Joy Ojo
Art
Blessing Ejiroghene Adewale
Echezona Ogudu
Rahmal Houssig (Morocco)
Anthony Azekwoh
Tioluwa Yoloye
Literature
Damilare Kuku
Fatima Bala
Eloghosa Osunde
Somtochukwu Ihezue
Peter Okonkwo
Community Action
Daniel Ajala
Damilola Feyide
Oyinkansola Akinbiyi
Deborah Aderogba
Mordecai Orimiladeye
Health and Wellness
Dr Princess Akawor
Mobolaji Ajayi
Dr Cassandra Akinde
Kiki Diorgu
Faith Adewale
Fashion
Goodnews Emmanuel
Fisayo Longe
Prudent Gabriel Peterson
Esther Yonkor
Desirée Iyama
Film
Eniola Korty Olanrewaju
Abdulazeez Greene
Ogechi Chikezie
Damilare Adeeso
Jigar Ganatra
Ogheneyerhovwo Nana
Content Creation (Comedy)
Aderonke Adepoju
Daniel Ekpe (Akwaman)
Folagade Banks
Destiny Ogie Osarewinda (Dezny)
Crazy Kennar (Kenya)
Content Creation (Lifestyle)
Tobe Ugeh
Wode Maya (Ghana)
Eric Gugua
Adenike Tejuoso
Chef T
Acting
Bolaji Ogunmola
Teniola Aladese
Uche Montana
Rosman Sunshine
Taye Arimoro
Young Person of the Year
James Popoola
Abdul Azeez Abdulyekeen
Taiwo Aromolaran
Deborah Johnson
Nora Awolowo
Creative Excellence
Laetitia KY (Abidjan)
Akintunde Ikudayisi Ikudayisi
Emmanuel Whajah
Kendo Grant
Ijeoma Mathew
Performing Arts
Ibukunoluwa Ajagbe (Ibquake)
Hafsat Abdulllahi
Victory Ashaka
Kingfahd Ibitoye
Diana Modeme
Energy and Sustainability
Charlot Magayi
Brian Gadisi
Chiemela Anosike
Damilola Hamid Balogun
Oyinkansola Owoyemi
When will The Future Awards Africa 2026 hold?
The 20th edition of The Future Awards Africa is scheduled for November 2026, following the announcement of nominees on October 19. The organisers have identified the ceremony month but have not specified an exact date in the published information.
The winners will be selected from the nominees across the listed categories following the assessment process described by the organisers. Shoday, Tobi Amusan and Bolaji Ogunmola are among the prominent Nigerian names competing for recognition in music, sports and acting, while the wider list covers a range of professional, creative and community contributions.
For further details about the nominees and ceremony, visit the official awards website.
