The Future Awards Africa (TFAA), the continent’s most prestigious awards platform celebrating young African excellence, is proud to announce the Jury and Independent Audit Committee for its 20th edition, themed “Celebrating the Redefiners: Africa’s AI Generation.” The two panels will help guide the selection of young Africans whose work is creating impact across the continent.

For two decades, TFAA has recognised young Africans aged 18 to 35 whose work is influencing their communities, industries, and the wider continent. The awards celebrate emerging leaders across fields including entrepreneurship, technology, creative industries, media, public service and social impact.

What distinguishes TFAA is its rigorous, transparent, and multi-layered selection process. Nominations first undergo scrutiny through the initial stages of the awards process before progressing to the Independent Audit Committee and ultimately the Jury, which determines the final recipients. The structured process is designed to uphold fairness, credibility and integrity at every stage.

Announcing the Jury, Ayodeji Razaq, Executive Director of TFAA, said, “For 20 years, The Future Awards Africa has asked people to trust us with something important: recognising young Africans whose work deserves to be seen. That trust depends on the integrity of how we make our decisions. As we mark this milestone edition, the Jury and Independent Audit Committee will help us assess nominees with the care, independence and rigour their achievements deserve. We are grateful for the expertise they bring to a process that must be as credible as the people it celebrates.”  

The Jury features accomplished professionals from across different sectors: Lanre Olusola, life coach, behavioural change psychologist and executive coach; Obi Asika, creative industry entrepreneur, founder of Storm 360, co-founder of Social Media Week Lagos and Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture; and Olufemi Oguntamu, founder and CEO of digital media and talent management agency Penzaarville Africa.

They are joined by Dapo Otunla, a human resources and business leader whose work spans organisational development and talent assessment; Ayo Mairo-Ese, broadcast journalist and co-anchor of The Morning Show on Arise TV; and Ayodeji Razaq, Executive Director of TFAA, whose work spans marketing, media, and technology.

Reflecting on the responsibility of the jury, Lanre Olusola said, “Being part of this process means recognising more than achievement; it means paying attention to the ideas, courage and impact behind the work of young Africans. At a time when a new generation is redefining what is possible, our responsibility is to look closely, judge fairly and give due recognition to those whose contributions are helping shape Africa’s next chapter.”

The Independent Audit Committee, which maintains transparency throughout the process, comprises respected professionals with experience across public policy, marketing communications, development, media, technology, gender advocacy, civic participation, and business. The members of the Committee for this year are Adejoh Idoko Momoh, public policy and development professional; Dipo Adesida, marketing communications professional with two decades of experience across brand strategy, advertising, digital content and media; Seun Akinyemi, development practitioner working across digital democracy, governance and civic participation; Solape Akinpelu, CEO and Co-founder of HerVest, with expertise in technology, financial services and women’s economic empowerment; and Yinka Obebe, Founder and CEO of Popcentral.

Others include: Lala Akindoju, award-winning actor, producer and creative entrepreneur; Yemisi Sophie Odusanya (Sisi Yemmie), food content creator, author and digital entrepreneur; Bayo Omoboriowo, photographer, visual storyteller and social entrepreneur; Ayisat Agbaje Okunade, Executive Secretary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy and a leader in governance and leadership development; Gbemileke Oscar Oyinsan, media entrepreneur and CEO of Rapid Broadcasting Network; and Hamzat Lawal, Founder of Connected Development (CODE), whose work spans climate change, open data, civic participation, and public accountability.

Twenty years on, TFAA continues to celebrate remarkable young Africans creating meaningful change across their communities and industries.

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