11th MAYA Awards Africa Celebrates Youth and Excellence

The 11th edition of the MAYA AWARDS AFRICA was held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Mauve21 Event Centre in Ibadan. The event, themed “Beyond Applause,” aimed to foster a culture where excellence leads to influence and impact.

It recognized 39 distinguished individuals, including Akosin Habeeb Okunola, Chairman of CINI Holdings; Rt. Hon. Ganiyu Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly; and Hon. Mojeed Mogbonjubola, Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure, Oyo State.

The awards also spotlighted 31 high-achieving youths as part of a commitment to youth development. Activities leading up to the awards included a visit to Agodi Correctional Centre, where young inmates received educational support, including sponsorship for GCE examinations.

The MAYA DevHub was launched to nurture leadership and skills among youth. Founder Ademola Ajibola stated that the organization is focused on creating pathways for young people and emphasized the importance of both established leaders and emerging talents for Africa's future.