For putting Nigeria on the map with his Guinness World Record (GWR) Largest Canvas Painting by an individual this year, Kanyeyachukwu (aka Kanye) Tagbo-Okeke is…
Artist Of The Year 2025
On April 2, 2025, 15-year-old autistic art prodigy Kanye unveiled his monumental painting, “Impossibility Is A Myth”, at Eagle Square, Abuja. Spanning 12,303.87 square metres and featuring an infinity symbol—the emblem of autism—surrounded by multi-coloured smiley emojis, the work broke the Guinness World Record for the largest canvas painting by an individual, previously held by Iranian artist Emad Salehi. Born on November 17, 2009, and diagnosed with autism at a young age, Kanye’s parents, Tagbo and Sylvia Tagbo-Okeke, nurtured his hyperactive energy through various activities until the arts revealed his extraordinary talent. Mentored from age four by artist and fashion designer Kokab Faroukh, Kanye’s gift for painting soon evolved from small canvases to large-scale works characterised by vivid colours, abstract shapes, and expressive strokes—a natural, unlearned form of self-expression.
Kanye’s art has consistently served a dual purpose: personal expression and social impact. At age eight, he became the youngest recipient of Austria’s Flame of Peace Award for promoting peace through art. In 2019, he launched his first charity exhibition at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Centre for Children with Special Needs in Abuja, which later became an annual event organised by his Kanye Autism Foundation. Through sales of his works, ranging from N300,000 to N10 million, Kanye provides free therapy and support for children with disabilities, particularly those from orphanages or families unable to afford treatment. Proceeds from his record-breaking painting were donated to the Zeebah Foundation. This Nigerian non-profit supports people on the autism spectrum and their families, reinforcing the transformative power of art to foster inclusion and care.
Kanye’s journey illuminates both the challenges and possibilities faced by individuals on the autism spectrum, particularly in Nigeria, where awareness and inclusive facilities remain limited. Falling within the high-support needs spectrum, he required constant access to painting materials, yet through dedicated care and mentorship, he has become a symbol against the stigmatisation of disabilities. His works have been exhibited internationally—in Vienna, New York, and across Nigeria—gracing museums, embassies, and art institutions, and earning him mentorship from masters like Bruce Onobrakpeya. Kanye embodies the message that nothing is impossible: with love, guidance, and opportunity, even the most significant obstacles can be transformed into extraordinary achievements.
It would be recalled that LEADERSHIP, in November 2025, unveiled its 2025 awardees, with Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, emerging as the Person of the Year 2025.
According to the LEADERSHIP Board of Editors, despite the country being on the brink of another election year, there was no winner for the Politician of the Year award.
Six governors, comprising Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Hope Uzodimma(Imo State), and Abdulahi Sule (Nasarawa), emerged as Governors of the Year.
The governors earned the award for “diligently focusing on the implementation of programmes and policies that transformed lives in their respective states.”
Governor Abiodun Oyebanji clinched the Governor of the Year 2025 award for his people-centred leadership that has transformed Ekiti State through inclusive governance.
Governor Dauda Lawal won the award for his unwavering commitment to restoring security, as well as his massive investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, which have repositioned Zamfara on the path of peace, progress, and sustainable development.
Governor Uba Sani emerged Governor of the Year 2025 for his inclusive and reconciliatory leadership that unites people across divides in Kaduna, while
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori clinched the award for his visionary ‘MORE Agenda’ that has redefined governance in Delta State through peace, inclusion, and pragmatic reform.
Governor Abdullahi Sule won the award for focusing on infrastructure and human capital development.
The Banker of the Year Award went to the Managing Director/CEO of Development Bank of Nigeria, Dr Tony Okpanachi, for pioneering inclusive finance through innovation and integrity, and for empowering over 700,000 MSMEs. Meanwhile, Providus Bank clinched the Bank of the Year award for its contributions to digital transformation and innovation in financial services.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) was named Government Agency of the Year for expanding Nigeria’s enforcement frontiers and recovering over N10 billion for consumers.
The LEADERSHIP Environmental Impact Agency of the Year award was presented to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for championing sustainable industrialisation, renewable energy, and climate-friendly technologies that reduce carbon emissions and promote clean power solutions.
Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) won the Oil and Gas Local Content Champion of the Year 2025 for pioneering the development and operation of Nigeria’s first onshore crude export terminal.
Other winners include Fintech Company of the Year, won by OPay for revolutionising digital finance through inclusion; Product of the Year, Nestle’s Pure Life; and Company of the Year, Trade Modernisation Project.
Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu clinched the Young College Person of the Year 2025 for her outstanding achievement in elevating Nigeria’s presence on the international academic stage.
The LEADERSHIP Sports Person of the Year award went to Justine Madugu for guiding the Super Falcons to their record-breaking 10th WAFCON title.
The awardees will be celebrated for their outstanding leadership, vision and commitment to national development at the LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards ceremony scheduled to take place on 12 February 2026 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
