FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lagos, Nigeria | 13 November 2026
The 18th Global Exquisite Ladies of the Year (ELOY) Awards has announced its 2026 nominees, recognising women making notable contributions across fashion, business, technology, entertainment, health, wellness and other sectors.
The nominee list celebrates women whose work reflects entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, creativity and social impact. This year’s categories highlight the breadth of women’s contributions to Nigeria’s economic and creative sectors, while recognising emerging talents and established professionals.
Among the nominees are:
ELOY Award for Fashion
Recognising women shaping Nigeria and Africa’s fashion industry through design, entrepreneurship, styling and fashion business.
- Prudent Gabriel Peterson – Prudential Atelier
- Tubobereni Sandra – TUBO Woman
- Toluwani Wabara – Wanni Fuga
- Yemi Shoyemi – Yemi Shoyemi
ELOY Award for Creative Economy (Film Producers)
Recognising women creating economic value through film and other creative industries.
- Blessing Uzzi – Call of My Life
- Laju Iren – Onobiren: The Woman’s Story
- Anita Odiakaose – Ikenga: The Last Festival
- Nora Awolowo and Nicole Ofoegbu – Black Market
- Zulumoke Oyibo – Okanjuwa
ELOY Award for Beauty – Retail
Celebrating women contributing to the beauty industry through entrepreneurship, innovation and brand building.
- Subulola Oyeleye – Beauty Hut
- Beatrice Eneh – Nectar Beauty Hub
- Hilary Rodriguez-Taiwo – Hilary Says
- Olabisi Odunayo – A3 Beauty
ELOY Award for Business
Recognising female entrepreneurs building successful businesses, creating jobs and demonstrating resilience and innovation.
- Ajoke Amusat – The Grocery Lady
- Biobele Oyibo – Earlybean
- Jennifer Esiaba – Mariam Grey Pharmacy
- Oshin Ayokunlemi – Nature Effects Limited
- Roberta Edu-Oyedokun – Moppet Foods
ELOY Award for Technology and Innovation
Celebrating women using technology and innovation to solve problems, build businesses and transform industries.
- Ekwutosi Cynthia Ekeh – Digital Witch
- Sara Idahosa – Women in DeFi
- Ire Aderinikun – Bumpa
- Esther Uzodinma – EsteBare Limited
- Mary-Brenda Akoda – GenScan AI
ELOY Award for Media and Entertainment – On-Air Personality
Recognising women in radio and digital media whose work has captured public attention and created influence.
- Gloria Babarinde
- Sarah Ofonedu – iFM Lagos
- Ibukunoluwa Adesoye – Yanga 89.9 FM
- Loveth Michael – Smooth FM
- Chimwe Blessing – Max FM
ELOY Award for Health and Wellness
Celebrating women contributing to healthcare, nutrition, mental wellbeing, public health and healthy living.
- Oshin Ayokunlemi – Natureffects Limited
- Yewande Maborukoje – Sidus Care
- Victoria Okorie-Duru – Wakamedics
- Blessing Aniefiok – Dynalimb Technologies
- Oge Nwafor – Cotique by Evercare Africa
ELOY Award for Fitness
Recognising women using fitness to transform the lives of other women.
- Onome Dynamite
- Chiamaka Catherine Ginikanwa – ChaCha Fit
- Cynthia Theophilus – Ophil Wellness
- Ibifaka Akinbinu – Fabila’s Fitness
ELOY Young Woman to Watch
Celebrating emerging women, ideally between 18 and 30, whose work, talent, business or social impact demonstrates exceptional promise.
- Tofunmi Adekola
- Genova Umeh
- Tomi Ojo
- Susan Pwajok
- Unique Okewoye
ELOY Award for Woman Making a Difference
A public-choice category celebrating women making meaningful contributions through business, philanthropy, advocacy, education and social impact.
- Linda Obi – Zuri Circle
- Ada Nduka Oyom – She Code Africa
- Winifred Okpapi-Owu – Women Makers
- Adeife Adeoye – Remote WorkHer
- Nkem Onwudiwe – HerNetwork
ELOY Award for Media – Television
Recognising women demonstrating excellence in television presenting, interviewing, audience engagement and programme delivery.
- Elizabeth Musa
- Ruth Onoshiorena Obozeghie (Rena)
- Victory Wilson
- Dashen Hussaina Usman
In addition to the public nominee categories, the 2026 ELOY Awards will feature special recognition awards celebrating Visible Leadership, Women Breaking Barriers, Global Impact and Visibility, Excellence in Media and Influence, Trade, Enterprise and Global Presence, Corporate Leadership, and Most Visible Woman of the Year.
Voting Is Now Open
With the nominees officially announced, members of the public are invited to participate in the voting process and support the women whose work and contributions they would like to see recognised.
Vote for your preferred nominees here:
The 2026 ELOY Awards will take place as part of the 18th Global ELOY Conference on 27 November 2026, under the theme “The Power of Being Seen: Visibility as a Global Tool for Women’s Empowerment.”
Organised by Exquisite Magazine and the ELOY Awards, the event will bring together women leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals and advocates to examine the role of visibility in expanding opportunities, strengthening influence and advancing women’s empowerment.
This year’s edition will also feature the ELOY x SARA 600 initiative, which aims to provide 600 women with opportunities for greater visibility, stronger financial positioning and business development.
Members of the public, industry professionals and supporters of women’s advancement are invited to register and attend the conference and awards celebration.
Register and book your event ticket here:
About the ELOY Awards
The Exquisite Ladies of the Year (ELOY) Awards celebrate and recognise women making outstanding contributions across different industries. Through recognition, visibility and empowerment initiatives, the platform seeks to encourage women’s advancement and highlight their achievements.
