Former Ogun governor Gbenga Daniel receives The Sun Awards 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award alongside Ganduje, Jim Nwobodo and other distinguished Nigerians
Gbenga Daniel Wins Lifetime Achievement Award at The Sun Awards 2026
By Lukman OMIKUNLE
Former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, has received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at The Sun Awards 2026, joining four other distinguished Nigerians recognised for their contributions to national development and public service.
Daniel received the honour at the 24th edition of The Sun Awards, held on Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The award places the former Ogun governor among five eminent Nigerians selected for the Lifetime Achievement category, alongside former Kano State Governor and former All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; former Anambra State Governor, Senator Jim Nwobodo; Archbishop Margaret Benson-Idahosa; and Chief Mrs Teju Phillips.
The ceremony, which was broadcast live on Channels Television and Arise News, brought together prominent personalities from across Nigeria’s political, business, public service, security, entertainment, sports and philanthropic sectors.
The 2026 edition, themed “Nation Builders”, celebrated 45 Nigerians whose leadership, enterprise, innovation and contributions have played significant roles in their respective fields and the country’s development.
For Daniel, popularly known as OGD, the Lifetime Achievement Award represents another national recognition in a public service career spanning executive governance and legislative representation.
His political journey includes an eight-year tenure as governor of Ogun State and his subsequent return to the National Assembly as senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District.
The recognition also places him alongside distinguished personalities whose careers have made notable contributions to Nigeria’s political, religious, business and public service institutions.
The selection of Daniel for the award had been announced ahead of the ceremony by The Sun Publishing Limited, with the newspaper identifying him among the five recipients of the Lifetime Achievement honour.
Other major award recipients at the 2026 ceremony included Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who emerged as Man of the Year, while several other governors, public officials, business leaders and personalities from different sectors were also recognised.
The Sun Awards, through its annual recognition of outstanding Nigerians, has continued to provide a platform for celebrating individuals and institutions whose contributions have attracted national attention.
Daniel’s latest honour adds to the public recognition of his years in Ogun State governance and his continued participation in national legislative affairs.
