In a celebration that blended elegance with purpose, top business leaders and corporate organisations were honoured for their outstanding contributions to social development at the 2025 edition of the Corporate Honours Night, held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos on Saturday.
The annual event, now in its seventh year, drew captains of industry, policymakers, diplomats, and social entrepreneurs who gathered to applaud companies and executives driving meaningful change through corporate social responsibility (CSR), innovation, and inclusive leadership.
Recognising Purpose Beyond Profit
With the theme “Leadership That Lifts: The Role of Business in Nation Building,” the night spotlighted firms and individuals whose initiatives have impacted lives in areas such as education, healthcare, women empowerment, sustainability, and youth development.
Among the notable honorees was Mrs. Adaobi Okonkwo, CEO of NovaGreen Energy, who received the Social Impact CEO of the Year award for her company’s nationwide solar-powered school initiative, which has provided reliable electricity to over 300 rural schools across five states.
“Business has a responsibility to do more than generate profit,” Okonkwo said during her acceptance speech. “We must build a society where progress is shared, and no one is left behind.”
Private Sector’s Expanding Role in Development
Other highlights of the evening included the Lifetime Impact Award, which was presented to Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, Founder of Zenith Textiles, for decades of philanthropic work in Northern Nigeria, particularly in rebuilding schools and supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Also recognised was the telecommunications giant TelNet Nigeria, awarded Best CSR Initiative of the Year for its digital literacy campaign that trained over 50,000 Nigerian youths in basic coding, entrepreneurship, and online safety.
Speaking at the event, keynote speaker and former Minister of Industry, Dr. Amina Lawal, commended the private sector for its increasingly proactive role in social development.
“The future of Africa depends not only on government intervention but on visionary business leaders who understand that their legacy lies in the lives they touch,” she said.
Innovation Meets Responsibility
The event also featured panel discussions, artistic performances, and the launch of the 2025 Corporate Impact Index, a report ranking Nigerian firms based on sustainability practices, employee welfare, and community engagement.
This year’s Index showed a marked improvement in SME participation in CSR, with smaller enterprises emerging as key players in environmental and social initiatives.
The Future of Responsible Business
As the night drew to a close, organisers reaffirmed their commitment to building a culture of responsibility within Nigeria’s corporate landscape. The Corporate Honours Night, hosted by the Centre for Ethical Business Leadership in partnership with the Nigerian Business Roundtable, is fast becoming the benchmark for recognising values-driven leadership in the country.
Event coordinator, Kemi Olufade, summed it up aptly: “Tonight is not just about awards; it is about reinforcing the idea that business must serve humanity. That is the legacy we are celebrating.”
