The Sun Awards: This recognition’ll energise us to do more – Alausa, Alawuba

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa and the Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, have described their emergence as winners of The Sun Awards 2026 as a humbling recognition that has strengthened their resolve to serve.

Alausa and Alawuba stated this when the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, led a management team to present nomination letters to them.

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The SUN Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, presenting letter as winner of The SUN Minister of the year Award to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Pix: MUDASHIRU ATANDA

The duo are among eminent Nigerians that will be honoured in different categories at The Sun Awards ceremony billed for Friday, November 13, 2026 at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Expressing delight at his recognition, the minister who receive the Minister of the Year, described The Sun as a truly national newspaper that has upheld journalism as the conscience of society for many years.

He praised the newspaper for executing its responsibility in a fair, balanced and non-judgmental manner.

He said “With all humility and a sense of honour, I accept the nomination”. The minister continued . “What we do at the Ministry of Education is collective work. I accept this nomination on behalf of myself, my team at the Ministry of Education, the entire government of Nigeria, and the President of the country.”

Alausa stressed that the award would serve as motivation rather than a destination. He noted that education remains the bedrock of national development and that the reforms being implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are designed to produce lasting results.

In his remark, Mr. Ukeh, explained why the Board of Editors found the minister worthy of the honour. He said Alausa was recognised for his numerous contributions to the development of the education sector and the far-reaching reforms he has introduced across all levels of education.

The MD highlighted the new blueprint the minister has put in place to ensure that Nigerian children do not merely attend school but emerge as productive citizens capable of contributing meaningfully to society. It was on the strength of these achievements and several other reasons, he said, that the board of The Sun decided to confer the award.

“Congratulations,” Ukeh told the minister.

The recognition comes at a time when the Ministry of Education is pursuing reforms aimed at improving access, quality and relevance of learning across the country. Alausa maintained that the honour would propel the ministry and its partners to intensify efforts so that more Nigerian children can benefit from a functional education system.

For Alawuba, winner of The Sun Banker of the Year award, the honour is both humbling and reinvigorating.

He said the award was a reminder of the responsibility that comes with leadership and a motivation to deepen his contributions to business development, financial inclusion and national progress.

The UBA GMD, described the recognition as an “honour and a privilege, stating: “I am humbled by this award. I wasn’t expecting it, and for you to consider me worthy of this recognition is truly humbling.”

Alawuba said the award meant a great deal because of the standing of the organisation behind it.

“The Sun is a respected media organisation with integrity and class. This recognition shows that what we are doing at UBA is on the right track.

“As a bank, we shall do more for Nigeria and Africa. UBA represents Africa globally and remains focused on delivering value.”

Noting that UBA operates in 20 African countries, the GMD emphasised: “We are committed to ensuring Nigeria becomes the centre of African commerce. I always encourage companies to look beyond Nigeria, and you can see what we are doing across Africa.”

He dedicated the honour to staff of UBA and to bank’s over 45 million customers, stating: “Our vision is for every African to own a bank account because more than 80 per cent of Africans are still outside the formal banking system.”

The banker called for closer ties between the banking sector and the media, saying: “We can work as partners to drive the African vision. We can collaborate on many fronts. Recently, when we were in the United States, one of the key conversations was how the media can survive, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa.”

Earlier, The Sun MD said Alawuba, “with over 25 years of experience, spanning corporate, consumer, institutional and commercial banking, is a silent force in the banking sector.”

He noted that under Alawuba’s leadership, “UBA continues to strengthen its position as Africa’s global bank, with a balance sheet exceeding N32 trillion, deposits of over N26 trillion, a workforce of more than 25,000 employees, and a customer base surpassing 45 million.”

Ukeh also highlighted the banker’s philanthropy, saying: “Through the Eberechi Foundation, which you co-founded in 2005, you have supported over 300 university scholarships, paid examination fees for more than 1,500 students, and provided empowerment programmes for widows, orphans, and the elderly in your hometown, Amaifeke, Imo State.”

Apart from Alausa and Alawuba , other award winners are Governor Hope Uzodimma, who will receive Man of the Year award as well as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna), Governor Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Governor Hyacinth Alia (Benue), and Governor Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), who will be honoured with Governor of the Year award.

Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, First Lady of Zamfara State, is First Lady of the Year, with the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, receiving the Courage in Leadership Award.

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele will receive Senator of the Year award, with former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, emerging as Political Icon of the Year, while Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, is Most Innovative Legislator of the Year and Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, member representing Borno State, will receive the House of Representatives Member if the Year award.

In entertainment, celebrated music star Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli (Flavour) wins Creative Icon of the Year award.

Other to receive awards are Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, and Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education (Minister of the Year), the Lifetime Achievement Award goes Ogun State Governor and serving senator, Gbenga Daniel; Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International, Most Rev Margaret Benson-Idahosa, former Chairman of Lasaco Assurance Plc, Chief Mrs. Teju Phillips, former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo and former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje.

Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC), Mr. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund, will receive Public Service Personality Award, with the Real Estate Icon Award going to Mr. Samuel Ajose, CEO of Levitikal Group, and Dr. Mrs. Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, CEO of Homadil Realty.

Access Bank Plc wins Bank of the Year, while the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), under the leadership of Chief Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, will receive the Parastatal of the Year award.

Those to receive Entrepreneur of the Year award are Chief Joseph Ukeji, Chairman of J.I. Ejison Group International Ltd; abd Mr. George Obi, Chairman/CEO of Fidel Associates Limited, with Chief Sunday Ephraim Ezeobiora, Chairman of Sunchi Integrated Farms Limited, and Chief Anthony Obele, CEO, Mekens Integrated Nigeria Limited clinching the Investor of the Year.

The Industrialist of the Year award will be received by Chief Williams Agbo, Founder/Chairman of Willson Group; Chief Ikenna Ekeagu, CEO of Blueworld Cosmetics; and Dr. Badamasi Burji, Group Managing Director of First Class Refreshment Limited, with Chief Kester Okike Agwu, Founder/CEO of Tastia Restaurants, and Chief RemiChris Nwagbo, Chairman of BON Octagon Hotel, Abuja, billed for honour with Hospitality Icon award.

The Sports Personality of the Year award will be received by Chief Leo Edochie, a renowned gold promoter and Chairman/CEO of Solotone Global Ventures Limited, with Chief Friday Nwabueze Umeh, Founder of Ofiafuluego Foundation and Chief Abraham Ikechukwu Otti, CEO, Allied Victory Nigeria Ltd., receiving the Humanitarian Service Icon Award, while HRM Alexander Uzo Onyido, the Igwe of Ogidi, will be honoured as Royal Father of the Year.

The post The Sun Awards: This recognition’ll energise us to do more – Alausa, Alawuba appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.