The Chief Executive Officer of Oceanwave Group, Peter Dunia, and internationally acclaimed Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, have emerged as the 2026 Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX) Man and Woman of the Year, respectively.
The winners emerged following a nationwide public voting exercise that attracted millions of votes from across Nigeria and the diaspora.
The LEEX management disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday in Awka, Anambra State, and other states in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
In the Man of the Year category, Dunia secured 2,189,857 votes to defeat Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, Femi Otedola, who polled 1,083,683 votes, while Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Oil & Gas Services Ltd., Ekeoma Ekeoma, garnered 485,308 votes.
For the Woman of the Year category, Adichie polled 826,097 votes to emerge victorious ahead of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, who received 287,569 votes, and the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Amina Mohammed, who secured 152,853 votes.
The organisers said the overwhelming participation in the voting process reflected the growing interest of Nigerians at home and abroad in celebrating outstanding leadership, excellence and impactful service across diverse sectors.
According to the organisers, Dunia’s recognition is in appreciation of his remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s maritime and energy industries, as well as his extensive philanthropic and humanitarian interventions.
The statement noted that through his corporate and personal initiatives, Dunia has supported programmes in education, healthcare, youth empowerment and community development, while also extending assistance to vulnerable communities and victims of disasters and economic hardship.
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Adichie’s emergence, the organisers said, is a testament to her outstanding contributions to literature, education and global advocacy. The award-winning author of Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah has earned worldwide acclaim for her literary works and sustained advocacy for gender equality, social justice and human dignity.
Speaking on the outcome of the votes, the Local Organising Committee Chairman, Prof. B. I. Babafemi, and the Secretary, Mr Emeh Anya, described both winners as exceptional leaders whose impact transcends their respective professions.
They said Dunia and Adichie exemplify visionary leadership, excellence and selfless service, adding that their contributions continue to inspire positive change within Nigeria and beyond.
The committee further stated: “Peter Dunia, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and over 20 other winners represent the very best of Africa—leaders who have not only excelled in their fields but have also used their platforms to uplift others and drive meaningful change.”
The Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX) is an online media awards platform established to recognise outstanding achievements in governance, business, innovation, entrepreneurship, public service, philanthropy, humanitarian service and sustainable development.
According to the organisers, the awards have received endorsement from the African Union–African Film Institute (AU-AFI), underscoring the platform’s growing continental recognition.
Previous recipients of the LEEX Man of the Year award include entrepreneur and philanthropist Tony O. Elumelu, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and industrialist Abdul Samad Rabiu.
Past Woman of the Year winners include Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Adaora Umeoji; and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Dunia, an indigene of Edo State, and Adichie, who hails from Anambra State, are expected to receive their awards at the 8th Leadership Excellence Awards ceremony slated for November 12, 2026, at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Banquet Hall, Abuja.
More than 20 other distinguished personalities will also be honoured at the event, which is expected to attract government officials, diplomats, captains of industry, traditional rulers, development partners, academics and civil society leaders from Nigeria and across Africa.
The Local Organising Committee congratulated all finalists and expressed appreciation to participants in Nigeria and the diaspora for their massive participation in the voting exercise, describing the process as transparent, credible and independently monitored.