Manny Ita –
The 2026 edition of the African Heritage Awards has recognised several prominent Nigerians, including African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and senior civil servant Didi Walson-Jack, for their contributions to Africa’s development.
The awards ceremony, held in Ghana on April 11, 2026, brought together policymakers, development experts, and public figures from across the continent to celebrate leadership and impact in governance, economics, and public service.
Adesina was among the top honourees, receiving recognition for his decades-long work in agricultural reform, infrastructure development, and economic transformation across Africa. Organisers of the awards described him as a visionary leader whose initiatives significantly strengthened food security and investment in key sectors during his tenure at the African Development Bank.
Didi Walson-Jack was also honoured for her contributions to public administration and governance reforms in Nigeria, particularly her work in strengthening institutional efficiency and civil service performance.
The African Heritage Awards committee said this year’s recipients were selected based on their sustained impact on African development, leadership excellence, and commitment to advancing socio-economic progress across the continent.
Other notable laureates at the event included figures from government, finance, and development institutions across Africa, reflecting the awards’ broader mandate of recognising excellence in public and private service.
The ceremony is part of an annual tradition that continues to spotlight Africans whose work has had measurable influence on governance, innovation, and continental growth.
