Ifunanya Ejimofor took home the Innovative Business Leader of the Year Award at the National Entrepreneurship Honors on Friday, marking one of her major recognitions in the tech entrepreneurship space.
The annual award goes to one recipient after evaluation by investors, policymakers, and enterprise experts. NEH officials said Ejimofor emerged from dozens of nominees with high scores in originality, scalability, and national development contribution, though specific metrics weren’t shared publicly.
Dr. Chuka Ezeani, Director General of the National Entrepreneurship Research Institute, praised her work during the ceremony. “Ifunanya’s approach to entrepreneurship is deliberate and people-centered,” he said. “She doesn’t build for attention; she builds for function. Her leadership reminds us that the purpose of technology is to make systems work better for everyone.”
Ejimofor’s work spans legal technology and digital systems, with a focus on what she calls ethical innovation and inclusive access. She also mentors startups and advocates for responsible entrepreneurship practices that balance growth with social impact.
The ceremony drew a cross-section of Nigeria’s business ecosystem, founders, corporate executives, investors, and civic leaders. Several attendees noted her emphasis on structure and empathy in leadership, qualities they said stand out in a sector often driven by rapid scaling.
Her leadership style has resonated particularly with professionals navigating Africa’s digital economy, where sustainable business models remain a challenge.