The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has been honoured with the London Political Summit and Awards (LPSA) Diaspora Community Engagement Governor of the Year 2026 award in recognition of his administration’s commitment to strengthening engagement with Ekiti indigenes in the diaspora.
The Award was presented as part of the 11th Annual London Political Summit and Awards 2026 held on Wednesday 14th, 2026 at the Copthorne Tara Hotel, Scarsdale Place, London W8 5sy, United Kingdom which celebrated distinguished business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, community champions and traditional rulers for their contributions to leadership, enterprise and community development.
Ekiti State also recorded another significant recognition as Dr. Adeola Adeleye-Fasubaa, Director-General of the Ekiti State Diaspora Relations Office, received the LPSA Diaspora Engagement Champion and Ambassador of the Year 2026 award.
The twin honours underscore the importance of sustained collaboration between national and State governments and their citizens abroad, particularly in mobilising diaspora expertise, investment opportunities, professional networks and partnerships for the advancement of their home communities.
The recognition of Governor Oyebanji places renewed attention on the role of diaspora engagement in governance and the need to translate international partnerships into tangible benefits for Ekiti State and its people.
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Other distinguished personalities recognised at the ceremony included Chief Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IBD Group International; Mr. David Smith, Chief Executive Officer of British Africa Consulting UK; Comdt. Dr. Alistair Soyode, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ben Television London/Africa Network; and Mrs. Adebisi Adebayo of the BBC.
Also honoured were Dr. Anna Vanderpuye, Chief Executive Officer and Director of INGO Third Sector Resource Ltd and the African Business Roundtable, UK Chapter; Mr. Joel Popoola, Chair of the Africa Group at the Institute of Directors; Professor Chris Imafidon OBE, Chair of the Board of Directors of Excellence in Education at the University of Cambridge; Dr. Clinton Liu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MCG Group, UK/Canada; and Mr. Kingsley Omokhuale, Chairman of the Methodist Boys High School Lagos Old Boys Association, UK/Europe.
The Worshipful Mayor of Islington, Councillor Rosaline Ogunro, was also among the distinguished personalities recognised at the event.
Present at the occasion were the High Commissioner of The Gambia and the Governor of Benue State of Nigeria, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Lormem Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State, and his counterpart from Sokoto State, Ahamad Aliyu Sokoto, who were among those honoured during the programme.
The annual summit provides a platform for celebrating outstanding leadership, promoting professional and business networks, and strengthening relationships among African leaders, the diaspora community and international partners.
For Ekiti State, the dual recognition of Governor Oyebanji and Fasubaa highlights the significance of diaspora relations as a channel for fostering cooperation, attracting investment and encouraging Ekiti indigenes abroad to contribute to the State’s long-term aspirations.
As the State celebrates the honours, attention will increasingly focus on sustaining the relationships and partnerships that can turn diaspora goodwill into measurable economic and social gains for the people of Ekiti State.
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