Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Global Transformation and Good Governance Prize by the Millennium Excellence Award USA.
The award, according to a statement issued Tuesday by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, follows a rigorous selection process that recognised the achievements and developmental trajectory of Lagos State under Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
The Board of Directors of the Millennium Excellence Foundation said it had unanimously resolved to honour the governor with one of the Foundation’s most prestigious awards.
“The Board has unanimously resolved to confer upon His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu one of the most prestigious honours bestowed under the auspices of the Foundation – the Global Transformation and Good Governance Prize by the Millennium Excellence Award USA,” the letter stated.
The award will be presented under the Royal Patronage of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene of Kumasi, who will personally confer the honour alongside Her Royal Highness Lady Julia, Queen Consort.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with the red carpet beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Beyond receiving the award, Sanwo-Olu is expected to use the Washington event to promote Lagos as an investment destination and deepen economic ties with Nigerians and Africans in the diaspora.
The governor will deliver a keynote address on positioning Lagos State, described in the statement as “Africa’s largest sub-national economy,” to diaspora communities.
His presentation will focus on attracting investment into urban infrastructure, finance and Lagos State’s pipeline of investment-ready projects.
Sanwo-Olu will also participate in sessions including “Government Addresses: The Political Will Behind the Deal,” as well as plenaries and roundtable discussions aimed at strengthening economic and social ties between Lagos and the diaspora.
The Millennium Excellence Awards USA honours outstanding individuals of African heritage and global contributors whose contributions have had significant impact across business, science, arts, philanthropy and public service.
Previous recipients include late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, businessman Mo Ibrahim, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu and Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.
The recognition places Sanwo-Olu among a distinguished list of African leaders and global figures previously honoured by the Millennium Excellence Foundation.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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