The 2025 edition of the Sabistation Business Owners Awards celebrated Nigeria’s most resilient, innovative, and influential entrepreneurs across various industries.
The event, chaired by renowned business journalist Kelechi Decca, brought together industry leaders, creators, innovators, startups, and impact-driven organizations redefining enterprise in Africa.
The Entrepreneur of the Year (Man) award went to Femi Otedola, honoured for his transformative contributions to Nigeria’s power sector through Geregu Power, FBN Holdings, and various investment vehicles. In the women’s category, Ibukun Awosika, founder of The Chair Centre Group, emerged as Entrepreneur of the Year (Woman), recognized for decades of leadership in manufacturing and enterprise development.
The award for Social Entrepreneur of the Year was presented to Oluwatomisin Ajayi, the visionary behind The Ganglion Initiative, while Afrobeat icon Femi Kuti received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his global cultural influence and creative entrepreneurship. The Mentor of the Year Award went to business strategist Steve Harris, celebrated for shaping thousands of professionals and entrepreneurs through coaching and thought leadership.
In the SME category, Sisi Yemmie Foods, founded by Yemisi Odusanya, won Small Business of the Year, while Tomiwa Aladekomo, CEO of Big Cabal Media, earned Innovator of the Year for driving cutting-edge digital platforms such as TechCabal and Zikoko. Mitchell Elegbe, Founder of Interswitch, was named Business Leader of the Year, and filmmaker Korty EO clinched Young Entrepreneur of the Year. The award for Start-Up of the Year was won by Shuttlers, led by Damilola Olokesusi.
Part Two of the awards recognized excellence across sectors. ThriveAgric won Best Agriculture & Farming, while JAC Motors Nigeria, distributed by Mikano, took the Best Automotive category. Selstack.com earned Best Software & Automation, and Fidelity Bank Plc was named Best Banking & Finance institution. In biotechnology, 54Gene emerged winner, while Julius Berger Nigeria Plc secured Best Construction Company.
In consumer goods, Rite Foods Ltd, producers of Bigi and Fearless, won Best Food & Beverage, and Cybervergent Nigeria received Best Cybersecurity Provider. Digital storytelling platform Zikoko earned Best Digital Media, while Jumia Food Mart / Jumia Quick Commerce secured Best E-Commerce Company. The Best Education category went to uLesson, founded by Sim Shagaya, and Oando Plc won Best Energy Company.
FilmOne Entertainment emerged as Best Entertainment & Media Company, and Rensource Energy won Best Environmental Services for its waste-to-power innovations. Kai Collective, founded by Fisayo Longe, was awarded Best Fashion & Apparel Brand, while Moniepoint received Best Fintech Company. In hospitality, The Delborough Lagos won Best Food & Hospitality, and Gamr Africa took home Best Gaming & Esports Platform.
The healthcare category recognised Evercare Hospital Lagos, while MainOne (an Equinix Company) won Best Information Technology (Cloud Computing). Leadway Assurance was named Best Insurance Company, Verod Capital won Best Private Equity Firm, and Banwo & Ighodalo emerged Best Legal Services Provider.
Mobility startup Shuttlers Mobility won Best Logistics & Transportation, and BUA Cement received Best Manufacturing Company. The Best Marketing & Advertising award went to X3M Ideas, led by Steve Babaeko, while Eta-Zuma Mining & Industries Ltd won Best Mining Company. Non-profit Slum2School Africa received Best Philanthropy, and Fidson Healthcare Plc took the Best Pharmaceutical Company category.
The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) was honoured as Best Public Sector Agency, while Purple Group, developers of Purple Lekki Mall, won Best Real Estate Company. Rubitec Solar Nigeria secured Best Renewable Energy, and Shoprite Nigeria (now owned by Ketron Investment) won Best Retail Company. Autonomation Robotics took the award for Best Robotics & Automation Company, and Nigerdock received Best Shipping & Marine Services.
In social media, Tiktok Nigeria won Best Social Media Platform, while the NPFL Youth League / Renewed NPFL Revival won Best Sports & Recreation. Airtel Nigeria emerged Best Telecommunications Company, Travelbeta won Best Tourism & Travel Brand, and Treepz secured Best Transportation Technology Company. Ikeja Electric won Best Utilities, while Future Africa, founded by Iyin Aboyeji, secured Best Venture Capital Firm.
RecyclePoints Nigeria was named Best Waste Management Company, and WOODRIX Africa’s Blood Pressure Smartwatch won Best Wearable Technology. i-Fitness Gym Nigeria took Best Wellness & Fitness, UAC Foods Distribution Network won Best Wholesale & Distribution Company, and SeamlessHR emerged Best Workforce Solutions Provider. The Best Telehealth Company award went to Clafiya. The Best Producer of the Year was awarded to filmmaker and cinematographer Jigan Oluwasesan Olayemi.
Part Three highlighted media excellence across Africa and the diaspora. Honourees included John Oji (Agrocart, Decagon EdTech, Bunce, BankNBook), Msuega Tese (The Versatile Leader Training), Fatima Almeida (BayQi), Justino Chipunji (StandBright Foundation), Bulus Silas Bossan (The Navigators), Josephine Falade (UCL), and Mayan Marshall (Uzima, USA). Others recognized were Jemima Adelekan, an independent storyteller; Darnley Uche of GreyParrot Audiobook Originals; Adeshina Lasisi of Fintech Solutions; founders of Smartsend Finance; Dr. Festus Erewele of Legacy Enterprises; Blessing S. John Abhulimen, author; Josso Leolidas Ewane of LJ Studios & LJ Cosmetics; MT Scholar Oyeyemi Oyebode, researcher; Daniel Iloh of Chartered Institute of Marketing UK; Nancy Ogbue-Nwosu, digital marketing analyst; Damilare Fakorede of aiNova Africa; Nike Folagbade, family life coach; Rose Ajayi (The PR Guys); Deborah Agboola (PR); and Pharm Julianah Omoleye Michael, founder of Med-Connect Pharmacy.
The Sabistation Business Owners Awards continues to strengthen Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by spotlighting the individuals and organizations setting new standards in business excellence.
