General
Tunde Onakoya Emerges Business Insider Social Entrepreneur of the Year
By Adedapo Adesanya
The convener of the Chess in Slums Africa initiative, Mr Tunde Onakoya, has emerged as the winner of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award organised by Business Insider Africa.
The inaugural Business Insider Africa Awards recognised outstanding business leaders across Sub-Saharan Africa who have been instrumental to the growth and advancement of the region’s economic landscape.
There were 55 nominees, including some of the continent’s top business leaders, achievers, and innovators across various industries and sectors who have made noteworthy contributions to their various communities through charitable works and leadership roles.
After two weeks of intensive voting from people around Africa and beyond, 11 outstanding leaders emerged winners across each of the award categories, the organisers noted.
The recognition for Mr Onakoya comes at a time when he is getting recognition for his works to take children off the streets and provide them with a platform through chess among others.
“Although the NGO is barely two years old, its impacts are already being felt, even as leading global media companies such as Reuters and DW have taken note,” the organisers noted.
Embattled Flutterwave CEO, Mr Olugbenga Agboola, currently embroiled in a scandal revolving around unfair practices with the unicorn, emerged the winner of the Tech Investor of the Year Award.
Besides his current job at Flutterwave, he is also a notable investor in the African startup space. He recently partnered with Norrsken House to launch a $200 million fund to support growth-stage African startups.
Novelist, Ms Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie won the Creative Leader of the Year Award.
Business Insider Africa remarked that she is “one of the finest writers the world has seen in a long time, Adichie has written many best-selling and award-winning novels. Be it in Half of a Yellow Sun or Americannah; her stories are known to tackle societal issues, albeit in a refreshingly entertaining literary manner.”
Other winners were Ms Olajumoke Kujero who emerged winner of the Marketing Professional of the Year Award. She is the Head of Marketing at Jumia Nigeria, a role she has held since March 2020. Prior to working at Jumia, she worked as the Head of Marketing at Wakanow.
Mr Andrew Takyi-Appiah won the Fintech Leader of the Year Award. He is the co-founder and Managing Director of Zeepay, a Ghanaian fintech startup established in 2016. Prior to that time, he worked at UT Bank Ghana as a General Manager. He has held several other high profile positions in top firms, including PwC Ghana, PwC UK, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated and GTBank.
Mr Onyeka Akumah was awarded the winner of the Internet Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He is a Nigerian serial entrepreneur and the Co-Founder/CEO of Treepz – one of Africa’s largest shared mobility companies.
“Over the years, Onyeka has partnered with other entrepreneurs to launch several businesses, including Farmcrowdy – Nigeria’s first digital agriculture platform. Today, he sits on the board of leading tech startups across Africa and North America while constantly seeking ways to impact African youths through media and technology,” his winning profile reads.
Former Special Assistant to President Goodluck Johnson, Mr Reno Omokri was conferred as the winner of the Business Influencer of the Year Award. The UK-trained Nigerian lawyer was noted as a very active and influential voice across social media platforms, especially Twitter, where he discusses various topics, from career tips to business and the economy.
Mrs Tara Fela-Durotoye was crowned the winner of the Entrepreneurship Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Mrs Durotoye is a Nigerian beauty entrepreneur and the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of House of Tara International. She built the company from scratch into one of Africa’s most notable beauty brands. And in return, she has been recognised for her audacious entrepreneurial spirit,” her profile read.
Mrs Eunice Ajim was regaled as the winner of the Tech Serial Entrepreneur of the Year Award. She is Founding Partner at Ajim Capital, an early-stage fund targeting African startups. Prior to starting the company, she worked at Apple as a product consultant and held various positions at Texas-based OpenTeams.
Mr Gregory Rockson emerged as the winner of the Young CEO of the Year Award. The Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of mPharma, an Africa-focused health tech startup started the company in 2013 and has served as its CEO since then.
The organisers remarked that, “Under his leadership, mPharma has raised about $88.2 million from investors and expanded operations to Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Gabon, Rwanda, Malawi and Ethiopia. Besides his work at mPharma, Gregory Rockson is also the Executive Chairman at Halsons Limited. The Ghanaian national is a World Economic Forum Global Shaper. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Westminster College.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has approached the court against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over an alleged N800 billion campaign fund diversion.
The organisation is seeking to compel the electoral body to investigate allegations that about N800 million from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations was diverted by governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to finance political and campaign activities.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja last week, but no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus directing INEC to investigate the claims that the governors channelled public funds into a dedicated campaign account allegedly meant to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The organisation is also requesting an order compelling INEC to demand full disclosure from the governors and the APC on any contributions made to such a campaign fund, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds.
In addition, SERAP wants the electoral commission to commence a comprehensive review of compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by political parties and candidates, particularly regarding campaign financing and the sources of political donations.
According to SERAP, the allegations raise fundamental concerns about transparency in political financing, electoral fairness and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to participate freely in democratic governance.
The organisation argued that opaque campaign financing remains a major avenue for corruption and weakens public confidence in democratic institutions.
It maintained that the alleged misuse of public funds for political purposes threatens the credibility of the 2027 general election and undermines public trust in the electoral process.
In the suit filed by its lawyers, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Kehinde Oyewumi, SERAP argued that the reported diversion of public resources for campaign activities warrants immediate action by INEC under its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
The group stated: “The abuse of state resources for electoral advantage undermines democratic integrity and public trust. Fairness, transparency, and accountability in political or campaign finance are essential safeguards against corruption, state capture, and undue influence in democratic processes.”
SERAP further argued: “The allegations of diversion or opaque use of public funds pose a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.”
The organisation said large-scale public financial allocations, combined with weak oversight and limited transparency, provide sufficient grounds for INEC to activate its investigative powers.
Referring to Section 91 of the Electoral Act, SERAP noted that the law empowers INEC to regulate political donations, enforce contribution limits, demand disclosure of funding sources and impose sanctions where violations occur.
The organisation explained that political parties found to have exceeded donation limits risk fines of up to ₦10 million and forfeiture of excess funds, while individuals who exceed prescribed limits are liable to penalties amounting to five times the excess contribution.
SERAP also contended that campaign financing derived from public resources distorts electoral competition and violates constitutional principles guaranteeing free, fair and transparent elections.
According to SERAP, INEC has a constitutional duty to ensure compliance with campaign finance regulations and to investigate allegations that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted the deadline for political parties to submit the names and credentials of candidates seeking to contest the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The electoral body announced that parties now have until midnight on Tuesday, July 14, to complete the process, extending the earlier deadline of Saturday, July 11.
Under INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general election, political parties were expected to upload the names and personal particulars of their presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates before the initial cut-off date.
Explaining the decision, INEC said the extension followed appeals from political parties that had encountered difficulties meeting the deadline.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Mohammed Haruna, said the request was formally conveyed through the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
According to him, IPAC sought additional time on behalf of parties that were yet to complete the submission of their candidates’ details through the commission’s portal.
“The decision to extend was based on an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council, on behalf of political parties who were unable to upload the names and personal particulars of their candidates within the scheduled timeline,” Mr Haruna stated.
INEC noted that the extension is intended to give all eligible parties a fair opportunity to comply with the requirements of the electoral process while remaining within the framework of the law.
The commission also urged political parties to utilise the extra period to finalise and upload all required information ahead of the revised deadline.
“The commission enjoins political parties to take advantage of this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline,” the statement added.
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, will run as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Tinubu retained Mr Shettima as his running mate for re-election next year, according to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a post on Friday on X, the ruling party chairman described this as “another significant milestone in the journey of our great party.”
He also said it reaffirms the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.
It was gathered that Mr Tinubu submitted his presidential nomination forms today through his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Mr Ibrahim Masari.
The submission was done ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, attended by several party chieftains, including The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.
“The All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the party leader stated.
