Accra, Ghana – 27– 28 February 2026
Dr. Dinesh Shukla, Chancellor and Founder President of the American International University West Africa (AIUWA), The Gambia, has been honoured with the African Education Leadership Award at the 15th ALM Persons of the Year Ceremony held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra.
The prestigious recognition celebrates his distinguished leadership in higher education development, healthcare capacity building and sustainable human capital advancement across West Africa. Under his stewardship since 2010, AIUWA has expanded medical and professional training programmes, strengthened institutional governance and positioned itself as a credible centre of excellence in health sciences education within the region.
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The African Education Leadership Award recognises visionary education leaders whose work advances academic quality, institutional sustainability and transformative learning outcomes across Africa. Dr. Shukla’s leadership has been widely commended for establishing AIUWA as a key player in West African higher education, with its main campus located at 89 Kairaba Avenue, KSMD, Fajara, and additional facilities, including its presence in Kanifing. The university is accredited by the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Agency (NAQAA), reinforcing its commitment to quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
The 15th ALM Persons of the Year Ceremony convened high-level political leaders, captains of industry, policymakers, diplomats and development partners from across Africa and beyond. The annual gathering remains a premier platform celebrating excellence in governance, business, public service and institutional leadership across the continent.
Other Distinguished Honourees at the 15th Edition Include:
• Chief Lesi Maol, GMD, Giolee Global Resources Ltd, Nigeria – Community Development Leadership Award
• Mr Samuel Tafesse, Founder, Sunshine Investment Group, Ethiopia – African Philanthropist of the Year
• Rali Mampeule, Founder/CEO, South African Housing & Infrastructure Fund – Special African Philanthropist Icon Award
• Dr Helen Oritsejafor, Executive Chairman, Spring Sky Finance Company Limited, Nigeria – Special African Leadership Commendation Award
• First Bank of Nigeria – African Leadership Institutional Excellence Award
• African World Airlines – Africa’s Leading Global Connector
• DCG Isah Umar Gusau (Rtd), Deputy CG, Nigeria Customs Service – Distinguished Public Service Award
• Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Uganda – African Educationist of the Year
• Abdoul Karim Diallo, Director General, Société Nouvelle de Commerce S.A. (SONOCO Group), Guinea – African Leadership Excellence Award in Industrial Innovation & Economic Development
• General Abdelkérim Charfadine “Bèguera”, Director-General, National Mining and Marketing Company (SONEMIC), Chad – Special Africa Leadership Impact Award
• Mr Alexandre Carreira, Chief Executive Officer, Nova Sociedade de Seguros de Angola, S.A (NOSSA Seguros), Angola – Distinguished African Leadership Award in Insurance Innovation and Financial Excellence
• Mr Harry Anagnostaras-Adams, Executive Chairman, KEFI Gold and Copper PLC, Ethiopia – Special African Business Leadership Excellence Award
• Saxton Ghana Limited – Africa’s Media Innovation Partner
• Ms Djalila Abdourahim, Director General, Chadian Hydrocarbons Company (SHT), Chad – African Hydrocarbons Sector Institutional Leadership & Sustainable Energy Development Excellence Award
• Mr Sakir Yavuz, Founder & President, ATAFOM University International, Central African Republic – African Leadership Impact Excellence Award
• Prof Ntobeko Ntusi, President & Chief Executive Officer, South African Medical Research Council – African Public Health Special Leadership Commendation
• Mr Khulekani Mathe, Chief Executive Officer, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) – African Leadership Award for Excellence in Economic Policy & Private Sector Advocacy
• Dr Kelly Oluoch, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) – African Health & Institutional Development Leadership Excellence Award
• H.E. Austelino Tavares Correia – African Lawmaker of the Year
• Dr Philip Oti-Mensah, Managing Director, UMB Bank Ghana – Special African Banking Leadership Commendation Award & Digital Bank of the Year (Ghana)
• Madame Paule Avomo Assoumou Koki, Director General, Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA) – Special African Aviation Regulatory Leadership Impact Award
• Dr Bruno Linyiru, OGW, Director General, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) – African Regulatory Leadership Excellence Award (Agricultural Sector Development)
• Eng. Luka Kimeli, Director-General, Kenya National Highways Authority – African Regulatory Leadership Excellence Award (Transport Corridors & Infrastructure Development)
• General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces, Uganda People’s Defence Forces – Special African Leadership Award for Defence & National Security Excellence
• Debele Kabeta, Commissioner, Ethiopian Customs Commission – African Public Sector Leader of the Year
• Charles Anosike, DG/CEO, Nigeria Meteorological Agency – African Public Sector Leader of the Year
• Eku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, Minister of Finance, Sierra Leone – African Government Minister of the Year
• Kenneth Matiba, MBS, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Institute of Supplies Management – African Regulatory Leadership Excellence Award (Public Procurement Integrity & Governance)
• Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah – African Political Leader of the Year
• Her Excellency Esperança da Costa, Vice President of Angola – African Female Leader of the Year
• Prof Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State, Nigeria – African Public Service Excellence Award
• John Kufuor, Former President of Ghana
• His Excellency The Right Honourable Samuel Matekane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho – African Inspirational Leadership & Good Governance Impact Award
• His Excellency Dr John Mahama, President of Ghana – African of the Year
The ceremony featured keynote addresses, award presentations and strategic networking engagements aimed at strengthening cross-border collaboration and leadership impact across Africa.
About ALM Persons of the Year
The ALM Persons of the Year Ceremony is an annual flagship event dedicated to recognising exceptional African leaders and institutions whose work has made significant contributions to governance, economic development, innovation and social transformation across the continent. Over the years, the platform has honoured Presidents, Prime Ministers, policymakers, business leaders and change-makers committed to advancing Africa’s progress on the global stage.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
King Richard
editor@africanleadership.co.uk
