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Lagos Speaker, Turkish Airlines, Global Icons Shine @ TEBA 2025 Awards

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The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

The 2025 edition of The Expatriates Business Awards (TEBA), held recently in Lagos, brought together an eclectic mix of dignitaries, diplomats, celebrities and business leaders to celebrate Nigeria’s vibrant multicultural economy and the growing impact of expatriate professionals on national development.

The black-tie event, which was themed around global excellence and intercultural unity, attracted a distinguished guest list, including the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who served as the event’s chief guest. Also in attendance were Lokman Balkan, a top executive at Turkish Airlines; renowned actresses Lilian Bach and Ronya Man; Ghanaian-born broadcast sensation Riyah Abdul, among others.

The annual ceremony recognises outstanding achievements by expatriate-led businesses and foreign-born professionals who contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s GDP and socioeconomic landscape. Unlike conventional business awards focused solely on local players, TEBA is a trademarked platform that celebrates ethnic enterprise, cultural collaboration and international innovation within Nigeria.

Anchored by Egypt-born media consultant Rania Elewa, who also received the Diaspora Trailblazer Award, and Cameroonian music-comedy star Danny Green (aka 237 TownCryer), the evening blended elegance and energy, with captivating cultural showcases, comedy, live music and curated exhibitions.

One of the key highlights of the night was the presentation of coveted awards to standout individuals and organisations across diverse sectors including aviation, media, technology, entrepreneurship and entertainment.

Turkish Airlines clinched the Expatriate Airline of the Year 2024/25, recognising its consistent service and expanding connectivity across Africa. Bach received the Diaspora Distinction Award for her contributions to film and cultural advocacy. Abdul was named Diaspora Revelation of the Year, while Ronya Man earned Cross-Over Actress of the Year for her impactful work across regional cinemas.

Aviation trailblazers also had their moment: Avsatel Communications Ltd., led by Austria-born Georg Eder MBA, won Aviation Safety Champion of the Year; MACE Industries Ltd., owned by Mr. Manoj Tagjiani, emerged Aviation Technology Company of the Year. Cameroonian entertainer Danny Green was awarded Cross-Border Talent of the Year.

Entrepreneurship was equally spotlighted. Pascale Olumayowa Rafqa received Expatriate Entrepreneur of the Year. At the same time, Polish-born chef Alice Adetona (popularly known as “Oyinbo Olonje”) was honoured as Intercultural Culinary Ambassador for her fusion of Polish roots and Nigerian cuisine. Gambian beautician Zainab Fatty won Serial Entrepreneur of the Year and Swiss-born Janice Udogu earned the Heritage Embrace Award for her passion for Nigerian culture.

Top international organisations were not left out. CCECC won Construction Company of the Year, and Nigerbirds Engineering was recognised as an Emerging Aviation Powerhouse.

In his remarks, Obasa praised the organisers for creating a platform that highlights the positive contributions of expatriates to Nigeria’s economic and cultural evolution.

“TEBA is not just an awards event but a statement about the value of diversity, inclusivity and global business diplomacy. Lagos and, indeed, Nigeria is positioning itself as a hub for multicultural investment and growth,” Obasa said.

He urged further collaboration between government and private sector actors to harness the benefits of diaspora-driven innovation and enterprise.

As a standout feature, event sponsors and partners enjoyed extensive visibility among decision-makers, industry leaders, and government stakeholders, reinforcing TEBA’s growing stature as a premier platform for high-level networking and global recognition.

With the success of the 2025 edition, The Expatriates Business Awards has firmly established itself as a unifying force in Nigeria’s corporate and creative spheres, promoting business excellence, cultural synergy and international collaboration.

Oluchi Okorafor
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