Babajide Fadoju

Engr. Femi Sanni (Araba), a leading social impact investor and philanthropist, has emerged as a major highlight of the Silver Jubilee edition of the Independent Awards, as Independent Newspapers Limited unveiled nominees for its 2025 honors.

Araba was nominated for Social Impact Investor of the Year, a category recognizing individuals whose private resources and initiatives delivered measurable public good within the year under review, despite receiving less media attention. His nomination reflects sustained grassroots interventions, albeit quietly, in education, community development, and humanitarian support, particularly across underserved communities in Kwara and other parts of the country.

The publishers of Daily Independent, Saturday Independent, and Sunday Independent said the nominations followed weeks of nationwide submissions and a rigorous internal review by the Board of Editors.

Also nominated are six state governors and top business leaders, including Mr. Tony Elumelu, founder of Heirs Holdings, who made the Business Leader of the Year shortlist. In the public sector, governors such as Alex Otti (Abia), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Uba Sani (Kaduna), and Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) were nominated across multiple categories, underscoring what the editors described as “exceptional performance and people-focused governance.”

However, Araba’s nomination stands out for its emphasis on impact beyond office, highlighting the growing role of private citizens in nation-building at a time of economic and social pressure.

Public voting for the awards opens on Monday, February 16, 2026, while winners across 25 categories will be announced at the Silver Jubilee ceremony scheduled for April 18, 2026, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.