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Ojobo, Former NCC Spokesman, Others Make 2020 List of 100 Most Reputable Africans
Reputation Poll International, a leading global reputation-management firm, has released the 2020 list of 100 Most Reputable Africans.
The list features 47 women and 53 men from diverse sectors including; Leadership, Entertainment, Advocacy, Education and Business.
The selection Criteria are: Integrity, Visibility and Impact.
Very prominent personalities featured in the list include: Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed; Nigeria’s Dr. Paul Enenche, South Africa’s Prof. Wiseman L. Nkuhlu, Chancellor of the University of Pretoria and Chairman of Rothschild (SA); Guinean Economist Cellou Dalein Diallo, and Cameroon’s Dr. Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
On Governance: the list features 2 African Presidents, one Vice President and policy makers.
On Business: South Africa’s Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Ethiopia’s Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu and Nigeria’s Folorunso Alakija are featured for their works across the Globe.
On Leadership: Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Sierra Leone’s Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and Ghana’s former Vice Chancellor of University of Cape Coast, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang
The above luminaries are joined by other great Africans who are celebrated for their Social Impact, as well as Social Entrepreneurship, that are transforming businesses in Africa and affecting lives positively without controversy.
Reputation Poll, known globally for its annual ranking of the 100 Most Reputable People on Earth and Most Reputable CEOs in various countries, is also poised to announce a new set of research on 100 Most Reputable Charity Organizations on earth.
2020 Most Reputable Africans – 2
During the announcement of the list by the incoming African Chairperson of the Review and Audit Committee/Member of the Board, Ms. Beldina Auma, Chair Emeritus, World Bank Group-IMF African Society and President of SCIP-International, LLC, made mention of the Organizations’ continued focus and commitment in honouring individuals, organizations and brands that consistently impact lives positively around the world and in Africa.
It is important to note that the ranking is in alphabetical order.
- Abdessattar Ben Moussa || President, Tunisian Human Rights League
- Abiy Ahmed || Prime Minister, Ethiopia
- Acha Leke || Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
- Achille Mbembe || Political Scientist
- Adama Gorou (Adams) || Human Potential Catalyst
- Agnes Kalibata || President, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
- Akinwumi Adesina Dr. || President, African Development Bank
- Amadou Diaw || Founder, Forum de Saint Louis
- Amadou Gallo || Managing Director NBA Africa
- Amadou Mahtar Ba || Executive Chairman, AllAfrica Global Media Inc.
- Amani Abou-Zeid || Commissioner, African Union Commission
- Amina C. Mohamed || Cabinet Secretary, Kenya
- Angélique Kidjo || Musician
- Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka || Member of Parliament, Tanzania
- Anne Makinda || Politician
- Anthony Navo Jnr || Founder, African Young Voices
- Arikana Chihombori Quao.Dr || Educator, Policy Leader
- Asha-Rose Migiro || Diplomat
- Ashish Thakkar || Founder Mara Group
- Basetsana “Bassie” Kumalo || Businesswoman.
- Belay Begashaw || DG, The Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa
- Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu || Entrepreneur
- Bineta Diop || Founder, Femmes Africa Solidarité Senegal
- Carlos Lopes || Economist
- Caster Semenya || Olympic Athlete
- Catherine Adoyo Prof. || Professor, George Washington University
- Cellou Dalien Diallo || Economist and Politician
- Collen Mashawana || Philanthropist
- Denis Mukwege || Founder, Panzi Hospital
- Divine Ndhlukula || Managing Director, SECURICO
- Donald Kaberuka || Board Chair, Global Fund
- Edith Brou || Digital Entrepreneur
- Ellinah Wamukoya (Bishop) || Clergy
- Elsie S. Kanza || Head of Africa, World Economic Forum
- Emma Inamutila Theofelus || Deputy Minister, Namibia
- Enenche Paul Dr || Senior Pastor, Dunamis Int’l Gospel Centre
- Fadumo Dayib || Politician
- Fatou Bensouda || Prosecutor, ICC
- Félix Tshisekedi || President, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Femi Otedola || Chair, Forte Oil PLC
- Folorunso Alakija || Businesswoman and philanthropist
- Francis Arinze (Cardinal) || Cardinal, Roman Catholic Church
- Fred Swaniker || Founder, African Leadership Academy, Ghana
- Georges Rebelo Chikoti || Diplomat
- Hafez Ghanem || Vice President, World Bank
- Hajer Sharief || Co-Founder, Together we build it, Libya
- Hamadoun Touré || Executive Director, SMART Africa
- Hanna Tetteh || Head, United Nations Office to the African Union
- Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki || CEO, NEPAD
- Ilwad Elman || Director, Elman Peace and Human Rights Center
- Isatou Alwar Graham || Lawyer and writer
- Ishaq Usman Bello (Justice) || Chief Judge FCT Abuja
- Jackie Chimhanzi. Dr || CEO, African Leadership Institute
- James Alix Michel || Former President of Seychelles
- Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang (Prof) || Former Vice Chancellor, University of Cape Coast
- Jelani Aliyu || Automotive Designer, General Motors
- Jewel C. Howard Taylor.H.E || Vice President, Liberia
- Johannes Gawaxab || Governor, Bank of Namibia
- José Eduardo Agualusa || Journalist and writer
- Kabirou Mbodje || Founder, Wari Group
- Ken Kwaku .Dr || International Investment & Corporate Governance Expert
- Kumi Naidoo || Secretary-General Amnesty International
- Kwesi Botchwey Prof. || Former Minister of Finance Ghana and Professor,
- Lamin Momodou Manneh || Lead, Regional Hub UNDP Africa
- Leymah Gbowee || Founder, Gbowee Peace Foundation
- Louise Mushikiwabo || Secretary-General, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
- Lwazi Bam || CEO, Deloitte Africa
- Macsuzy Mondon || Minister, Seychelles
- Major Seynabou Diouf || Police United Nation
- Manasseh Azure Awuni || Journalist
- Margaret Blick Kigozi Prof || Consultant, UNIDO
- Maria do Carmo Silveira || Former Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe’s
- Mariéme Jamme || Founder, iamtheCODE
- Matshidiso Moeti .Dr || Regional Director for Africa, World Health Organization (WHO)
- Mensa Otabil || Theologian
- Mia Couto || Biologist and writer
- Michelle Ndiaye || Director, Institute for Peace and Security Studies
- Mohamed El Kettani || CEO Attijariwafa Bank
- Mohamed ElBaradei || Law scholar and diplomat who served as Vice-President of Egypt
- Mutahi Kagwe || Cabinet Secretary for Health, Republic of Kenya
- Ngozi Okonjoi-Iweala. Dr || Board Chair, Gazi, Nigeria
- Nhlamu Dlomu || Global Head of People, KPMG
- Nobuhle Judith Dlamini Nxasana Dr. || Businesswoman and Author
- Patrick Awuah || Founder, Ashesi University
- Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba || Director, Kenya School of Law
- Paul Kagame H.E || President Rwanda
- Peter Tabichi || Teacher
- Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka || Executive Director, UN Women
- Precious Moloi-Motsepe Dr. || Entrepreneur
- Shamila Batohi || Director, National Prosecuting Authority
- Sheila Tlou || Co-Chair, Global HIV Prevention Coalition
- Tony Ojobo .Dr || Public policy expert
- Vera Songwe. Dr || UN Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UNECA,
- Vincent Rague || Co-founder of Catalyst Principal Partners,
- Wided Bouchamaoui || Co-Founder, Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet,
- Winnie Byanyima || Director UNAIDS,
- Wiseman L. Nkuhlu Prof || Chancellor, University of Pretoria
- Wycliffe A. Oparanya || Politician
- Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE || Mayor, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Zweli Mkhize Dr. || Minister, South Africa
The United States will begin a partial suspension of visa issuance to Nigerians from January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation aimed at strengthening border and national security.
The US Mission in Nigeria announced on Monday that the restriction will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled ‘Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.’
According to the mission, Nigeria is one of 19 countries affected by the measure.
Others listed are Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The proclamation provides for a partial suspension of visa issuance covering nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas.
It also applies to immigrant visas, though with limited exceptions.
The statement read in part, “Effective January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” the Department of State is partially suspending visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries – Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – for nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, J student and exchange visitor visas, and all immigrant visas with limited exceptions.”
US officials clarified that the policy does not apply to all travellers. Exemptions include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, dual nationals applying with passports from countries not affected by the suspension, and Special Immigrant Visas for eligible US government employees.
Other exempted categories include lawful permanent residents of the United States and participants in certain major international sporting events.
The US government emphasised that the proclamation applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States on the effective date and who do not hold a valid US visa as of January 1, 2026.
“Foreign nationals, even those outside the United States, who hold valid visas as of the effective date are not subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998. No visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, have been or will be revoked pursuant to the Proclamation,” the statement added.
Visa applicants from affected countries may continue to submit applications and attend interviews. However, the US Mission noted that such applicants “may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the US” under the new rules.
The announcement comes amid a series of recent US policy decisions that have raised concerns among Nigerians seeking to travel, study or migrate to the country.
In October, the United States added Nigeria back to its list of countries accused of violating religious freedom, citing persistent insecurity and attacks on Christian communities. This was followed by Nigeria’s inclusion on a revised US travel ban list that imposed partial entry restrictions on Nigerians.
The US has also tightened immigration and visa policies affecting Nigerians. Earlier this year, the validity of most non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerians was reduced to single-entry visas with a three-month duration.
The pre-action notice was signed by Emmanuel Okpara, Esq., Litigation and Compliance Director, and Mus’ab Awwal Mu’az, Esq., secretary of the Association’s Steering Committee.
The dispute stemmed from a consent judgment delivered on November 3, 2025, by Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CC/355/2025 between Meta Platforms, Inc. and the NDPC.
Following investigations conducted under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023, the NDPC had issued a Final Order against Meta Platforms, Inc., finding “widespread violations of the data protection and privacy rights of approximately 61 million Nigerians,” and imposing a remedial fine of USD 32,800,000.
The pre-action notice was signed by Emmanuel Okpara, Esq., Litigation and Compliance Director, and Mus’ab Awwal Mu’az, Esq., Secretary of the Association’s Steering Committee.
The dispute stemmed from a consent judgment delivered on November 3, 2025, by Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CC/355/2025 between Meta Platforms, Inc. and the NDPC.
Following investigations conducted under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023, the NDPC had issued a Final Order against Meta Platforms, Inc., finding “widespread violations of the data protection and privacy rights of approximately 61 million Nigerians,” and imposing a remedial fine of USD 32,800,000.
The NDPC investigation stemmed from a petition filed at the commission on August 14, 2023, against Meta Platforms Inc. by the convener of Personal Data Protection Awareness Initiative, Ozoemena Nwogbo, regarding violation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
After its investigation, NDPC found Meta Platforms Inc. wanting and, on February 18, 2025, issued nine Final Orders against Meta Platforms Inc.
NDPC’s Order
The NDPC’s order nine reads, “Meta shall pay the naira equivalent of 32,800,000 USD (Thirty-two million, eight-hundred thousand United States Dollars) as a remedial fee. The naira equivalent shall be at the rate determined by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“The details of the account for payment of the remedial fee are as follows: Account Name: Nigeria Data Protection Commission Fund Account. Account Number: 0020331265048 (300131267). Use RTGS for payment.”
The NDPC added, “Note that Meta has a right to seek a judicial review of this decision. The Commission will closely monitor Meta’s remediation process and its impact on data subjects for upwards of six months.”
However, the Final Order was subsequently set aside through Terms of Settlement, which were adopted by the court as a consent judgment on November 3, 2025, following a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/355/2025, filed by Meta Platforms Inc. against the NDPC.
Part of the Terms of Settlement entered between NDPC and Meta Platforms Inc. reads, “The applicant (Meta Platforms Inc.) and the respondent (NDPC) have come to a mutual settlement agreement that resolves the dispute underlying the applicant’s originating Summons.
“Pursuant to this agreement: (I) the applicant has agreed to provide specific remedial consideration to the respondent in support of protecting the rights of data subjects in Nigeria; and (II) the respondent has inter alia agreed to set aside and waive any rights to enforce or take steps to enforce the Final Orders against the applicant.”
The settlement terms specifically read, “In the light of the foregoing: The applicant wholly and completely terminates, abandons, withdraws, and discontinues the Originating Summons as well as any and all claims against the respondent connected to or arising from the matters or the subject matter thereof, except as the parties have otherwise agreed.
“The respondent: (I) sets aside the Final Orders against Meta; and (II) save and except as the parties have otherwise agreed, fully and firmly releases and discharges Meta from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, contracts, obligations, suits, debts, costs, liabilities, which the respondent ever had, may now have, or May hereafter claim to have against Meta in respect of the matters.”
Association Alleges Illegality In Settlement
But the Data Privacy Lawyers Association contended that the consent judgment was entered into unlawfully, arguing that it was done without lawful statutory authority, in violation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, and in derogation of the constitutional right to privacy guaranteed under Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The Association further said the action was taken “to the grave prejudice of millions of affected Nigerians and the public interest, as well as the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
In the notice, the Association warned that unless the issues raised are urgently addressed within the statutory notice period, it would approach the Federal High Court to seek multiple reliefs.
These include an order setting aside, vacating, and nullifying the consent judgment on grounds of fraud, collusion, material non-disclosure, lack of statutory authority, and violation of the NDPA, 2023.
It is also seeking a declaration that the consent judgment is “null, void, unconstitutional, and of no legal effect,” as well as a declaration that the NDPC lacks statutory authority to waive, compro
Other reliefs sought include an order restoring and reviving the Final Order against Meta Platforms, including the $32.8 million fine, and an order restraining any further reliance on or enforcement of the consent judgment.
The Association also asked the court for other orders the Court may deem fit in the interest of justice, public accountability, and the protection of constitutional rights.
In the interest of transparency and accountability, the Association urged the NDPC to provide a written explanation of the legal basis for entering into the Terms of Settlement, clarify the statutory authority relied upon to waive the remedial fine and set aside the Final Order, and take steps to remedy the issues raised.
The letter, the Association said, constitutes the requisite pre-action notice under applicable law.
It warned that unless the concerns are satisfactorily addressed within 30 days of receipt of the notice, it will proceed to institute legal proceedings without further recourse.
mise, or extinguish liabilities, sanctions, or remedial fines arising from established violations of the Act.
As Christians in Nigeria and around the world mark the birth of Jesus Christ, Globacom has extended warm Christmas greetings, describing the season as one of goodwill and togetherness.
Reflecting on the significance of Christmas in a message released on Tuesday, the technology company said the period offers an opportunity for renewal, calling on Christians to uphold the values embodied by Jesus Christ, including love, humility and compassion for humanity.
Globacom noted that the circumstances of Christ’s birth continue to offer timeless guidance for society. “The noble yet humble birth of Jesus teaches virtues such as obedience to God, humility, love for mankind and a strong commitment to the common good. We encourage Christians to consciously practise these virtues as true followers of Christ,” the company stated.
Against the backdrop of today’s social and economic challenges, the company emphasized the shared responsibility of people of goodwill to care for others and to give generously, pointing to Christ’s acts of compassion, including his feeding of multitudes as recorded in the Bible.
Beyond the celebrations, Globacom urged Nigerians to sustain the true spirit of Christmas by consistently demonstrating love, promoting peace and fostering harmony—values that defined Christ’s life and teachings.
The company also wished its customers and Nigerians at large a joyful Christmas, while reaffirming its commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality services throughout the festive period and beyond, urging customers to take advantage of its wide range of innovative products and services to stay connected and share the joy of the season with loved ones.
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