By: Seun Adegboyega
Daily Times Nigeria will recognise individuals and institutions that have contributed to national development at an event in Lagos on November 3, marking the newspaper’s 100th anniversary.
Held at Harbour Point under the theme “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future,” the celebration will include the Shaping the Future Town Hall, the Honouring the Past Exhibition and the DTN@100 Times Heroes Awards. Organisers expect policymakers, business leaders, public-sector figures and other prominent Nigerians to attend, looking back at the country’s history and discussing its development priorities.
Bolaji Okusaga, chairman of the DTN@100 Times Heroes Awards Council, said the awards will honour people and organisations whose vision, leadership and achievements have shaped Nigeria over the past century and may inspire future generations. He said the three components of the event would help preserve historical lessons, celebrate achievements and promote discussion on building a more prosperous and inclusive country. The awards will cover leadership, enterprise, public service and innovation, including work to create economic opportunities and support national development.
Grand Book to be unveiled
A central feature will be the unveiling of The Nigerian Grand Book, National Book of Changemakers. Compiled over 15 years from the newspaper’s century-long archive, the book carries a foreword by President Bola Tinubu. It will record the contributions of distinguished Nigerians, with a dedicated page for each award recipient.
Town hall and exhibition
The policy-focused town hall will examine Nigeria’s development challenges and practical ways to unlock the country’s potential. Topics include informal employment, energy access, infrastructure, productive livelihoods, and the conditions needed to attract investment and sustain economic growth.
The exhibition will draw on the Daily Times archive to showcase people, events and milestones in Nigeria’s political, economic, social and cultural history.
Earlier event in Abuja
The Lagos event follows a centenary gathering on September 3, 2026, at the ThisDay Dome in Abuja. Attendees included Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, who represented President Tinubu, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu. Governors Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Umar Bago (Niger) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) were also there, as were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe. Former African Development Bank president Dr Akinwumi Adesina gave the keynote address and received an award.
Aims of the initiative
Beyond honouring prominent Nigerians, organisers say DTN@100 is meant to preserve national history, highlight the role of individuals and institutions in development, and inspire emerging leaders. They also plan to encourage corporate involvement through an exhibition sponsorship model that would fund school visits and help young Nigerians learn about their country’s past.
The newspaper, founded in 1926, has documented Nigeria’s political, economic, social and cultural development. The centenary is intended to reflect on that legacy and promote discussion of the leadership, partnerships and collective action needed to shape the country’s future.
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