Introduction to the 7th Leadership Excellence Awards
The 7th Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX) has announced its winner for the prestigious Man of the Year award for 2025. Mr. Tony Elumelu, founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, has been voted as the winner of this esteemed award. The online voting process, monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), saw Elumelu secure an overwhelming victory with 1,093,475 votes, outpacing other distinguished nominees.
The Selection Process and Nominees
The selection process for the LEEX award involves a rigorous two-stage procedure, beginning with open public nominations, followed by a transparent voting process where citizens across the nation participate in selecting winners. This year’s nominees included Allen Onyema, who received 634,855 votes, and A. A. Rano, who received 185,397 votes. The LEEX award, now in its seventh edition, is organized by Igbere TV to recognize outstanding leadership and contributions of individuals to national development.
Tony Elumelu’s Achievements and Recognition
Elumelu’s recognition is believed to be based on his transformative impact on Africa’s economic landscape through both business leadership and philanthropy. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), established in 2010, represents his most enduring legacy. The foundation operationalizes his economic philosophy by empowering young African entrepreneurs, having committed $100 million in 2015 to create the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. The recognition coincides with the foundation’s announcement of its 2025 entrepreneurship cohort of 3,000 entrepreneurs who will receive training, mentorship, and $5,000 in seed funding each.
Impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation
The TEF alumni have created over 1.5 million jobs and generated more than $4.2 billion in revenue across all 54 African countries. The foundation has 40% of female entrepreneurs as beneficiaries, making significant strides in women’s economic empowerment. The foundation’s digital platform, TEFConnect, has become Africa’s largest entrepreneurship hub with over 1.5 million registered users and has trained, mentored, and provided seed funding to over 21,000 African entrepreneurs.
Past Winners and Upcoming Award Ceremony
Former past winners of the LEEX Man of the Year award include Dr. Godwin Maduka (2019, 2020), Obi Cubana (2021), Peter Obi (2022), Abdul Rabiu (2023), and Udom Emmanuel (2024). The award, endorsed by the African Union and the African Film Institute, is scheduled to hold in Abuja on October 31.
Conclusion
Mr. Tony Elumelu’s recognition as the 2025 LEEX Man of the Year represents a public endorsement of his two-decade commitment to transforming African economies through strategic investments and entrepreneurial empowerment. The award is expected to enhance the foundation’s ability to form strategic partnerships and scale its impact across Africa.
FAQs
Q: Who is the winner of the 2025 LEEX Man of the Year award?
A: Mr. Tony Elumelu, founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, is the winner of the 2025 LEEX Man of the Year award.
Q: What is the Tony Elumelu Foundation?
A: The Tony Elumelu Foundation is a philanthropic organization established in 2010 to empower young African entrepreneurs.
Q: How many votes did Mr. Elumelu receive in the online voting process?
A: Mr. Elumelu received 1,093,475 votes in the online voting process.
Q: When is the award ceremony scheduled to hold?
A: The award ceremony is scheduled to hold in Abuja on October 31.
