Every system that supports small businesses today was once a broken process waiting to be redesigned. That truth sits at the heart of the Digital Commercial Innovator of the Year, a category presented annually by the National Entrepreneurship Honors (NEH) to spotlight individuals who have redefined how commerce operates in Nigeria’s digital age.
The award is given to one entrepreneur annually whose work demonstrates sustained innovation in transforming commercial infrastructure. But unlike other categories focused on visibility or scale, this honor is reserved for builders who have created systems that actually work, especially for the businesses most affected by inefficiency, opacity, and operational friction.
This award is not about popularity, product virality, or funding rounds. It is about thoughtful execution; recognizing the visionaries whose work has translated into smoother processes, improved reliability, and stronger outcomes for commerce across sectors. These are the innovators who think in systems, build for context, and stay committed to solving operational pain points, especially for small and growing enterprises.
Winners are selected through a rigorous, multi-layered process conducted by independent analysts, practitioners, and business development experts. Their work is assessed on functionality, adaptability, and market relevance, with a strong emphasis on tangible outcomes over theoretical promise. At its core, this category rewards substance: digital infrastructure that quietly transforms how Nigerian businesses track, move, sell, and deliver.
The award has become a benchmark in recognizing those who strengthen the invisible layers of commerce. From order fulfillment and inventory management to vendor coordination and customer transparency, the recipients have consistently created tools that remove friction, reduce error, and return time and control to business owners across the value chain.
Past honorees include:
- Ayuk Tarhbey (2024)
- Rahila Danjuma (2023)
- Gbadebo Ijewere (2022)
- Ijeoma Okwuosa (2021)
- Hassan Oyelowo (2020)
- Chinyere Adefemi (2019)
- Yakubu Egwuatu (2018)
The Digital Commercial Innovator of the Year serves as a clear indication of the path that counts as Nigeria transitions to a more digital, enterprise-driven economy: innovation that is grounded in pragmatism, dedicated to performance, and long-lasting. It is more than just a trophy; it is a national affirmation of people who are improving business, one process at a time, by making it smarter, more inclusive, and more efficient.
