The Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) has initiated high-level engagements leading up to the Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025, marked by a significant courtesy visit to the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Lagos House, Marina, on Wednesday, December 18, 2025. The MIPAD delegation, led by President Kamil Olufowobi, included key figures such as Tope Esan (Chief Operations Officer), Angela Regalado (Global Director), Josie Antwi (Global Events Coordinator), Ayiri Oladunmoye of Oaken Events (Official Event Planner, Nigeria), and Adedayo Showemimo (Media Team Manager).

During the visit, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was formally honored with his MIPAD Award as the Most Influential Governor of 2025. This prestigious recognition acknowledges his outstanding leadership, visionary governance, and dedicated efforts in positioning Lagos as a prominent global hub for culture, innovation, tourism, and diaspora engagement. The Governor expressed his deep appreciation for the honor and reiterated Lagos State’s unwavering commitment to fostering global partnerships and celebrating African excellence on an international stage.

This pivotal visit sets the stage for the Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025, a comprehensive week-long celebration dedicated to African art, culture, innovation, and global connectivity. The event will culminate in the highly anticipated End of the Year Awards & Celebration on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. This edition is particularly historic as it marks the first time the renowned Most Influential 100 Recognition & Awards Ceremony, traditionally held in New York alongside the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), will be hosted in Lagos.

The week-long experience is packed with diverse activities designed to engage and inspire. These include a Diaspora Day at the Fela Exhibition, themed 'Afrobeat Meets Diaspora', a Cultural Heritage Day, a Business & Leadership Luncheon, and the grand End of the Year Recognition & Awards Ceremony. The celebration aims to honor the 'Best & Brightest of the Year', highlighting individuals and institutions whose impactful work continues to advance Global African Achievement and Black Excellence across various sectors, including government, business, media, culture, and technology.

Key recognitions for 2025 include His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Lagos State, who were jointly honored as Governor of the Year and City of the Year, respectively. Her Excellency Hannatu Musa Musawa was named Minister of the Year for Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy. Olorì Atúwàtse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, received the Most Influential Woman of the Year award, while Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive of OANDO, was recognized as the Most Influential Man of the Year. Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, was honored as CEO of the Year and is also slated to deliver a keynote address, acknowledging his transformative leadership in Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital economy. Other distinguished honorees include Davido (Artist of the Year), Uche Pedro (Lifestyle Personality of the Year), Ojy Okpe (Most Influential News Anchor of the Year), Stephanie Busari (Media Executive of the Year), and Kayode Okikiolu (Pressman of the Year).

Martell Cognac was celebrated as Brand of the Year, with Michael Ehindero, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Nigeria, expressing gratitude for the recognition. He highlighted the team's excellent delivery in Nigeria and acknowledged the support of consumers and MIPAD, looking forward to future promising experiences in Nigeria. The ceremony will also acknowledge members of the Class of 2025 Honorees, along with past Nigerian honorees who were unable to attend their recognition ceremonies in New York.

Kamil Olufowobi, Founder & Chairman of MIPAD, emphasized the significance of hosting the event in Lagos, stating, “For the first time, we’re bringing our world-famous recognition platform home to celebrate excellence within the Global Africa family right here in Lagos.” He described the initiative as more than just an event, but a powerful movement dedicated to uniting, connecting, and empowering Africans and people of African descent to collaborate and collectively effect global change.

MIPAD, the Most Influential People of African Descent, operates as a global civil society initiative. It actively supports the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2034) by identifying, celebrating, and connecting high-achieving individuals of African descent worldwide, thereby fostering global recognition, collaboration, and sustainable impact.