Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has been nominated in two categories for the 2025 Independent Newspapers Awards.
Independent Newspapers Limited, publishers of Daily Independent, Saturday Independent, and Sunday Independent, announced the nominations on Sunday following a rigorous internal review by its Board of Editors.
Governor Radda was nominated in the Outstanding Governor of the Year category, defined as “the one among the 36 who combines vision, passion, dedication, and courage to make the lives of the people of their state better.”
Other nominees in this category include Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.
The Katsina Governor was also nominated for the Education Reformer Governor award, which recognizes the governor who transformed the education sector through policy reforms, infrastructure investment, and innovative learning initiatives.
He will compete with Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Senator Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State.
The Board of Editors noted that some governors performed remarkably well across key sectors and feature in more than one category.
The list follows weeks of submissions from Nigerians who nominated individuals and corporates from the public and private sectors across 25 categories for their performance in 2025.
Nigerians will vote from Monday, 16th February, 2026, starting with the Business Leader of the Year category.
The climax of the ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, 18th April, 2026, at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, will be the announcement of the winner of the coveted Man of the Year award.
The award is given to the person adjudged to have excelled most across multiple fields and touched lives in the period under review.
Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State
11th February 2026