DTN@100: Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji Accepts Trailblazer Award, Hails Daily Times Centenary

Youth development expert and Chief Executive of Rise Networks, Dr. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, has formally accepted her nomination as a recipient of the DTN@100 (Daily Times Nigeria at 100) Trailblazer Award.

In a letter of acceptance addressed to the Chairman of Folio Group and Group Publisher of Daily Times, Mr. Fidelis Anosike and Mr.Bolaji Okusaga, Akerele-Ogunsiji said she was honoured to be recognised for her contributions to leadership, public service, innovation and national development.

“I write to formally convey my acceptance of the DTN@100 Trailblazer Award, conferred in recognition of my contributions to leadership, public service, innovation and national development,” she said.

“I am honoured by this recognition, especially as it forms part of the centenary celebration of the Daily Times of Nigeria, an institution whose history is interwoven with the evolution of Nigeria’s public discourse, national consciousness and democratic development. Thank you very much indeed for the Recognition.”

She said the centenary theme, “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future,” resonates profoundly with her conviction that enduring national progress requires drawing wisdom from collective history while building institutions, capabilities and opportunities that future generations will need to thrive.

“For me, leadership is ultimately measured not by titles, accolades or individual accomplishments, but by the institutions we build, the lives we transform, the opportunities we create and the enduring value we contribute to society,” she stated.

The Artificial Intelligence for Development Expert, Media Industrialist, EdTech Entrepreneur and Film Maker said her work in youth development, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship has been driven by commitment to expanding opportunities for young Africans to become active architects of their continent’s future.

“I therefore receive this honour not merely as a personal milestone, but as an affirmation of the broader imperative to invest in human capital, strengthen institutions, harness innovation for inclusive development and create pathways through which talent and ambition can translate into meaningful societal progress.”

She added that as Nigeria reflects on a century of its national journey, the next chapter must be defined by courage to think differently, discipline to build enduring institutions, and collective resolve to ensure demographic strength, intellectual capital and entrepreneurial energy become engines of shared prosperity.

Akerele-Ogunsiji commended the Board, Management and Organising Committee of Daily Times Nigeria @100 Celebration, the Times Heroes Award Council and all stakeholders for creating a platform that recognises achievement while documenting people, ideas and institutions contributing to Nigeria’s development.

She confirmed her intention to participate in the ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, 3rd November, 2026, to celebrate the historic milestone with fellow recipients.

The DTN@100 Trailblazer Award is part of activities marking 100 years of the Daily Times of Nigeria, Nigeria’s oldest surviving newspaper, celebrating a century of shaping public discourse and democratic development.