HKN Music CEO and Musician, Davido, has been voted the 2018 Most Influential Young Nigerian in the 3rd edition of the annual ranking poll by international rating firm, Avance Media.

Davido who was nominated in the Entertainment category for his works in the showbiz industry across the globe got his massive endorsement after winning a well contested poll among 100 most influential young Nigerians nominated in diverse categories

The multiple award winning artiste known in private life as David Adedeji Adeleke is a singer, songwriter and record producer. 

The ranking which was launched in 2016 by Avance Media has been won by Actress, Funke Akindele (2016) & Footballer, Victor Moses (2017).

Following keenly in the 2018 ranking are: Musician, Wizkid, Krystal Digital CEO, Tope Ogunsemo, Footballer, Ahmed Musa, and For Lekan Bamidele & Co’s, Barr. Bamidele Olamilekan who were voted among the top 5 most influential young Nigerians.

Media personality and host of Keeping It Real with Adeola, Adeola Fayehun who got the 9th position also got the nod as the 2018 Most Influential Young Nigerian woman during the poll.

Sharing insights about this year’s polls, Prince Akpah, MD of Avance Media mentioned; the ranking was instituted to highlight the works of young Nigerians who are contributing in diverse ways towards the advancement of development in Nigeria and across Africa.

Avance Media also runs same initiative in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, DR Congo, Ghana & Cameroon in partnership with various organisations and is expected to release a global ranking in 2019.

Below are winners in the various categories:

1. Business – Ink Eze – Aso Ebi Bella

2. Entertainment – Davido – Musician

3. Law & Governance – Barr. Bamidele Olamilekan – For Lekan Bamidele & Co

4. Leadership & Civil Society – Bello Bala Shagari – National Youth Council

5. Lifestyle – Victor Ebiye – Social Media Influencer

6. Media – Adeola Fayehun – Keeping It Real With Adeola

7. Personal Development & Academia – Tope Ogunsemo – Krystal Digital

8. Science & Technology – Victor Ugo – Mentally Aware

9. Social Enterprise & Philanthropy – Vivian Sonny-Nsirim – Young Moms Support Initiative

10. Sports – Ahmed Musa – Footballer, Al-Nassr FC & Super Eagles

Below is the list of Avance Media’s 2018 100 Most Influential Young Nigerians

1. Davido – Musician 

2. Wizkid – Musician 

3. Tope Ogunsemo – Krystal Digital 

4. Ahmed Musa 

5. Barr. Bamidele Olamilekan – For Lekan Bamidele & Co 

6. Ikechukwu Uzoma – United Nations 

7. Alex Iwobi 

8. Falz – Musician 

9. Adeola Fayehun – Keeping It Real With Adeola 

10. Ink Eze – Aso Ebi Bella 

11. Vivian Sonny-Nsirim – Young Moms Support Initiative 

12. Victor Ugo – Mentally Aware 

13. Alex Iheanacho – Money Sense Africa 

14. Bukola Bolarinwa – Sickle Cell Aid Foundation 

15. Busari Bisayo – Project One Productions 

16. Grace Ihejiamaizu – iKapture Networks 

17. Williams Uchemba – Williams Uchemba Foundation 

18. Ubi Franklin – Made Men Music Group 

19. Oluwatobi Oyinlola – IoT Evangelist 

20. Ife Durosinmi – Etti – Author 

21. Abdullateef Olasubomi Abdul – Lawyer 

22. Osagie Alonge – Pulse Nigeria 

23. Adekunle Gold – Musician 

24. Nkechi Okwuone – Code for Nigeria 

25. Victor Ebiye – Social Media Influencer 

26. Bello Bala Shagari – National Youth Council 

27. Seun Onigbinde – BudgIT 

28. Nancy Isime – Model 

29. Tolani Alli – Photographer 

30. Michael Ajayi – Enactus Nigeria 

31. Tosin Ajibade – Olori Supergal Media 

32. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji – Flutterwave 

33. Simi – Musician 

34. Japheth J Omojuwa – Activist 
35. Moet Abebe – OAP 

36. Mikel Obi 

37. Fola David – Painter 

38. Hauwa Ojeifo – She Writes Woman 

39. Rosemary Ajuka – OAP 

40. Abimbola Omotoyosi Ogunmekan – WarriorStory.ng 

41. Chidera Okolie – Lawyer 

42. Samson Itodo – YIAGA

43. Chichi Nwoko – Kwese Free Sports Nigeria 

44. Collins CK Chiemezie – The MADE Woman Foundation 

45. Kenny Blaq – Comedian 

46. Akinwande Durojaye – JustBrandIt 

47. Teslim Opemipo Omipidan – OldNaija.com 

48. Adepeju Jaiyeoba – Brown Button Foundation 

49. Tobi Obasa – Davtonlearn 

50. Tania Omotayo – Ziva Lagos 

51. Silas Adekunle – Reach Robotics 

52. Oluwaseun Ologun Williams – ECOWAS Youth Council 

53. Niniola Soleye – Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh – DRASA Health Trust 

54. Victor Moses 

55. Stanley Uzochukwu – Stanel Oil Group 

56. Tomi Adeyemi – Author 

57. Osi Suave – OAP 

58. Adenike O. Adebayo – Blogger 

59. Adesewa Josh – OAP 

60. Adetola Anita Adetoye – Beauty Consultant 

61. Tisan Bako – OAP 

62. Chike Ukaegbu – Presidential Candidate 

63. Joseph Agunbiade – Univelcity 

64. Olasupo Abideen – Brain Builders International 

65. Idia Aisien – OAP 

66. Uwabor Joshua – Nigeria Entrepreneurs Awards 

67. Kene Rapu – Kene Rapu 

68. Dr. Moses Enokela – SonoCare 

69. Zuriel Oduwole 

70. Bashir Ahmad – PA – President of Nigeria 

71. Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin – Pearl Africa Foundation 

72. Kelechi Iheanacho 

73. Elo Umeh – Terragon Group 

74. Obinwanne Okeke – Invictus Group 

75. Eromo Egbejule – The Africa Report 

76. Chris Kwekowe – Slate Cube 

77. JohnBosco Onunkwo – JohnBosco Onunkwo Foundation 

78. Tunde Kehinde – Lidya 

79. Ereme Abraham – Social Media Influencer 

80. Adeoye Ojo – Sureremit 

81. Maria Okanrende – OAP 

82. Beverly Naya – Actress 

83. Tonye Rex Idaminabo – ADC Candidate 

84. Olamide – Musician 

85. Ossai Ovie Success – PA – Governor, Delta State 

86. Kizz Daniel – Musician 

87. Michael Ugwu – Sony Music Western Africa 

88. Obinna Okwodu – Fibre 

89. Rahmon Ojukotola – Rahmon Ojukotola Foundation 

90. Adamu Garba – Politician 

91. Joyce Jacob – Joyce Jacob Beauty 

92. George Ugwuja – APC 

93. Seun Oluyemi – Y! Productions 

94. Quadri Aruna 

95. Wadi Ben-Hirki – Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation 

96. Evelyn Akhator 

97. Sambasa Nzeribe – Actor 

98. Odunayo Adekuoroye 

99. Oluwatobiloba Amusan 

100. Simidele Adeagbo

The 2018 100 Most Influential Young Nigerians ranking was conducted by Avance Media in partnership with Blue Blazer International, VIPI State, Jagari Designs, COSDEF Group, 1000 African Voices, CliqAfrica, WatsUp TV, & MyNaijaNaira.com

Source: Prince Akpah