Business impact isn’t always visible in headlines. It often lives in the background, inside the systems that quietly support better decisions, stronger operations, and smarter growth. In recognition of this deeper form of value creation, the National Entrepreneurship Honors (NEH) names winners of this esteemed honor; an honor given to entrepreneurs building tools that move the economy forward from behind the scenes.
This award celebrates one entrepreneur each year whose innovation is rooted in structure, not spectacle. It’s not about how fast the product grows, but how deeply it understands the landscape it was built to change. The recognition reflects the ethos of this award: building tools that endure, platforms that scale responsibly, and technologies that meet real problems with real solutions.
Following a rigorous review process guided by industry practitioners and ecosystem experts, the selection was based on criteria that prioritize sustainability, long-term relevance, and business utility.
The award has become one of the country’s most respected indicators of entrepreneurial integrity and operational excellence. Its recipients are known not only for creating new technologies but for embedding those technologies into the lived experiences of business owners, service providers, and underserved communities. They scale not with noise, but with purpose.
Past honorees include:
- Adedeji Sunmola (2024)
- Ngozi Banjoko (2023)
- Muktar Damilare (2022)
- Tolulope Ezenwa (2021)
- Ibrahim Yakubu (2020)
- Lilian Oche (2019)
- Femi Obayomi (2018)
This award is a nod to those building with intention, to the entrepreneurs who see beyond MVPs and pitch decks, and instead commit to building products that last, systems that evolve, and ventures that respond to the real texture of the market.
Through this recognition, NEH affirms a simple truth: technology alone doesn’t drive change, people with the right vision, discipline, and empathy do.
