Tunji-Ojo, Dantata win Vanguard Personality of the Year Award

The minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Oj and founder of MRS Oil Nigeria, Alhaji Sayyu Idris Dantata have been named Vanguard Personality of the Year.

Tunji-Ojo was awarded for his stewardship in the Federal Ministry of Interior has been marked by urgency, innovation, and a results-driven approach to governance.

Assuming office at a time when public trust in key interior institutions required rebuilding, the minister quickly signaled that business would no longer proceed as usual. From the outset, he emphasized transparency, accountability, and digital transformation as pillars for repositioning agencies under his supervision. His reform agenda has focused not only on strengthening national security frameworks but also on improving service delivery to millions of Nigerians at home and abroad.

For Dantata, the honour reflects not only his business success, but also the tangible relief his company’s pricing strategy has delivered to millions of Nigerians.

For decades, Nigeria’s downstream sector has grappled with volatility, supply bottlenecks, and fluctuating pump prices that directly affect households and businesses. In this challenging environment, Dantata positioned MRS as a stabilising force, leveraging strategic partnerships, operational efficiency, and bold pricing decisions to reshape how fuel is sourced, distributed, and sold. His leadership has helped redefine what is possible in a deregulated market, proving that affordability and profitability can coexist.

Among the governors recognised for their leadership were Uba Sani (Kaduna), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).

Other awardees included Dr. Osahon Okunbo as Young Entrepreneur of the Year, while Jim Ovia, Bishop Kukah, Vincent Maduka, Jim Nwobodo and Bruce Onobrakpeya were honoured with Lifetime Achievement awards. Festus Keyamo was named Public Sector Icon of the Year, Mrs. Vicky Haastrup as Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, and Dr. Stephen Akintayo and Alfred Temile were also recognised in business and real estate categories.