Alicante, Spain – September 2026
Nigeria featured prominently at the Clevenard Global Awards 2026 in Alicante, Spain, where diplomats, senior public officials, academics, business leaders, researchers and professionals of Nigerian origin were recognised alongside international recipients for contributions across diplomacy, public administration, research, business, culture and international development.
Among the Nigerians honoured were Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, His Excellency Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu; Dr Emeka Vitalis Obi, mni, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Commission; Ayoola R. Lawal, organisational strategist, management consultant, researcher and Chairman Emeritus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavia; Mr Ayotunde Adigun, Head Immigration Attaché at the Embassy of Nigeria in Spain; Dr Fola Rogers, counselling psychologist, emotional intelligence and trauma-recovery specialist and author; and Tarella Aghanti, disability advocate and author.
The third edition of the Clevenard Global Awards was held on 30 August 2026 as part of the Clevenard Open Project in Alicante. The gathering brought together diplomats, political and public-sector leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, investors, tourism executives, professionals and cultural figures from several countries.
Dr Ikpeazu, who serves as Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Kingdom of Spain, was recognised for contributions spanning diplomacy, public leadership, democratic governance, education, economic development and international cooperation.
Also honoured was Dr Emeka Vitalis Obi, mni, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Commission, whose recognition reflected his work in public administration, institutional leadership and efforts to strengthen professionalism and effectiveness within the Nigerian public service.
Obi also participated in the programme as a keynote speaker, offering perspectives on institutional excellence, public-sector innovation and the role of capable public institutions in advancing Africa’s economic development.
Ayoola R. Lawal, a Nigerian-born, Sweden-based organisational strategist, management consultant, politician and researcher, was recognised for his work in diaspora engagement, international development, strategic advisory and policy advocacy.
Lawal, Chairman Emeritus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavia, was also recognised for his work on the governance of emerging technologies, particularly his focus on translating artificial intelligence regulation into organisational practices that preserve human responsibility, strengthen workplace safety and reinforce accountability.
His political and diaspora engagement spans several years. Lawal previously served as National Chairman of the Scandinavia Chapter of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before later serving as National Chairman of APC Scandinavia. He also served as Secretary of the APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen.
His involvement in Nigerian politics has also extended to electoral participation. He was a Lagos State House of Assembly aspirant and later a candidate for Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives.
Speaking during the Alicante programme on the theme “Leading the Future: Human Intelligence in an AI-Driven World,” Lawal examined the changing relationship between human judgement and increasingly capable technological systems. He argued that the growing use of AI-supported systems should not diminish human responsibility or the capacity to intervene where decisions carry significant consequences for individuals, organisations and society.
Another Nigerian recipient was Mr Ayotunde Adigun, Head Immigration Attaché at the Embassy of Nigeria in Spain, whose responsibilities include immigration administration, migration management, border-related cooperation and consular support.
His recognition highlighted the importance of effective migration administration and the role of consular institutions in facilitating lawful mobility and supporting Nigerians living, working and travelling abroad.
Dr Fola Rogers, a counselling psychologist, emotional intelligence and trauma-recovery specialist and author, was also among the Nigerian honourees, reflecting the breadth of professional fields represented at the awards.
Also recognised was Tarella Aghanti, a disability advocate and author whose work has contributed to greater attention to disability inclusion, representation and advocacy.
Veteran Nigerian diplomat Ambassador Ferdinand O. Nwonye was also associated with the 2026 honours, reflecting his longstanding contributions to diplomacy, international communication and Nigeria’s engagement with the international community.
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni was similarly among the Nigerian public figures associated with the awards.
The Nigerian representation extended well beyond government and diplomacy, with honourees drawn from academia, business, culture, entrepreneurship, international trade, diaspora engagement and community development.
They included Professor Jeleel Olasunkanmi Ojuade, recognised for scholarship and the advancement of African cultural heritage; Dr Derek Omoleh, whose work spans economics, trade and investment; and Ambassador Rashida Adamu Abdullahi, recognised for leadership, women’s participation and grassroots development.
Others associated with the honours included Dr Obi Okoli, Archbishop Prof. Chidiebere Anelechi Ogbu and Sir Michael Chukwujekwu, Ph.D., alongside several other recipients.
The range of Nigerian honourees reflected the country’s international presence across diplomacy, public administration, research, business, technology, culture and civic leadership.
Beyond the awards ceremony, the Alicante gathering provided a forum for exchanges on investment, tourism, international trade, migration, institutional development, artificial intelligence, education and Africa-Europe cooperation.
For Nigeria, the recognition of serving diplomats, senior civil servants, researchers, entrepreneurs, advocates and cultural figures underscored the contributions of Nigerians working across professional disciplines and national boundaries.
The Clevenard Global Awards form part of an international platform that recognises individuals whose professional, institutional and societal contributions extend across sectors, communities and countries.