Burna Boy who rose to prominence in 2012, after the release of his “Like to Party” Album has mastered his craft to become the shining star of the Nigerian entertainment industry coupled with sterling international accolades including a BET Award and a nomination in the 2020 Grammy Awards. His expression of music which is Afrobeats has become a global trend and a genre he is championing for global recognition with other African artists. In 2019, he was also named among Africa Youth Award’s 100 Most Influential Young Africans.

In the keenly contested poll which lasted for 2 weeks, following him closely in the ranking was his co-entertainer and musician Teni, who also earned for herself a mark of being the most influential female on the list outlining her accomplishments in 2019.

The ranking, which was launched in 2016 by Avance Media, had been won by Actress Funke Akindele (2016), Victor Moses (2017) and Davido (2018) who were voted as the most influential young Nigerians in their respective years.

Representing with Burna Boy among the top 5 young Nigerians on the list are Teni (Musician), John Obidi (CEO, Headstart Africa), Odunayo Eweniyi (Cofounder, PiggyVest) and Asisat Oshoala (Footballer, FC Barcelona Femení).

According to the Managing Director of Avance Media, Prince Akpah, “the ranking which celebrates young people annually features 100 inspiring change-makers and leaders making great accomplishments in their diverse industries. Be it as entrepreneurs, musicians, activists, media personalities, social impact and philanthropy leaders, public servants, thought leaders and politicians’’.

Profiles of all honorees are published on www.avancemedia.org/2019miyn

Below are winners in the various categories:

1. Business - Adewale Aladejana (CEO, Sapphire Scents)
2. Entertainment - Burna Boy (Musician)
3. Law & Governance - Seun Fakorede (Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Oyo State)
4. Leadership & Civil Society - Funke Adeoye (Co-founder, Hope Behind Bars Africa)
5. Lifestyle - Broda Shaggi (Comedian)
6. Media - Kiki Mordi (Journalist)
7. Personal Development & Academia - John Obidi (CEO, Headstart Africa)
8. Science & Technology - Odunayo Eweniyi (Cofounder, PiggyVest)
9. Social Enterprise & Philanthropy - Sipasi Olalekan Ayodele (Founder, Protect Ozone)
10. Sports - Asisat Oshoala (Footballer, FC Barcelona Femení)

Below is the list of Avance Media’s 2019 100 Most Influential Young Nigerians

1. Burna Boy (Musician)
2. Teni (Musician)
3. John Obidi (CEO, Headstart Africa)
4. Odunayo Eweniyi (Cofounder, PiggyVest)
5. Asisat Oshoala (Footballer, FC Barcelona Femení)
6. Wizkid (Musician)
7. Broda Shaggi (Comedian)
8. Falz (Musician)
9. Mr Eazi (Musician)
10. Davido (Musician)
11. Alex Iwobi (Footballer, Everton FC)
12. Rema (Musician)
13. Kiki Mordi (Journalist)
14. Victor AD (Musician)
15. Sipasi Olalekan Ayodele (Founder, Protect Ozone)
16. Adewale Aladejana (CEO, Sapphire Scents)
17. Zlatan (Musician)
18. Seun Fakorede (Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Oyo State)
19. Yemi Alade (Musician)
20. Ukinebo Dare (Managing Director, Edo State Skills Development Agency)
21. Ola Brown (Dr.) (Founder, Flying Doctors Nigeria)
22. Edirin Edewor (Founder, Online Publishers and Entrepreneurs Network)
23. Funke Adeoye (Cofounder, Hope Behind Bars Africa)
24. Nike Folagbade (Lead Consultant, Nike Folagbade International)
25. Sandra Ezekwesili (OAP, Nigeria Info FM)
26. Onyeka Akumah (Founder, Farmcrowdy)
27. Vivian Sonny – Nsirim (Founder, Young Moms Support Initiative)
28. Olawale Ayilara (CEO, Landwey Investment Limited)
29. Uzoma Nwagba (COO, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme)
30. Isaac Success Omoyele (Founder, Dreams from the Slum)
31. Stephanie Coker (OAP)
32. Samson Itodo (Executive Director, YIAGA)
33. Grace Ihejiamaizu (Founder, OpportunityDesk.org)
34. Etop Ikpe (CEO, Cars45)
35. Ibukun Onitiju (Head of Digital, Nestle Central and West Africa Region)
36. Arit Okpo (TV Host, CNN Africa)
37. DJ Cuppy (DJ)
38. Uche Pedro (Blogger, Bella Naija)
39. Oluwatobi Oyinlola (IoT Evangelist, Intel)
40. Samuel Chukwueze (Footballer, Villarreal CF)
41. Kelechi Iheanacho (Footballer, Leceister FC)
42. Bella Disu (Vice Chairman, Globacom)
43. Ayodeji Osowobi (Founder, Stand to End Rape)
44. Temie Giwa-Tubosun (CEO, Lifebank)
45. VJ Adams (OAP, Soundcity TV)
46. Crazeclown (Comedian)
47. Sydney Talker (Comedian)
48. Shola Lawal (Journalist)
49. Otto Orondaam (Founder, Slum2School Africa)
50. Esther Agbarakwe (Communications and Public Mobilization, UN)
51. Egbiri Egbiri (Principal Legal Counsel, African Development Bank Group)
52. Sandra Uleyi Itu (CEO, Leyi Ush)
53. Hamzat Lawal (CEO, Connected Development)
54. Reginald Aziza (Attorney, Chevron Nigeria Limited)
55. OluTimehin Adegbeye (Writer)
56. Victor Osimhen (Footballer, Lille)
57. Kelechukwu Nwachukwu Lucky (Founder, Youth Network Against Female Genital Mutilation)
58. Obi Ozor (Founder, Kobo360)
59. Seyi Tinubu (CEO, Loatsad Promomedia Ltd)
60. Ogechukwu Alexis Obah (CEO, Bodylikemilk)
61. Evans Akanno (CEO, Cregital)
62. Peter Tega Oghenejobo (COO, Mavin Records)
63. Eyitayo Ogunmola (CEO, Utiva)
64. Helen Chukwu (CEO, Helen Couture)
65. Rt. Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin (Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly)
66. Akinkunmi Akinwunmi (Managing Partner, Paragon Advisors)
67. Tolani Alli (Photographer)
68. Chinedu Azodoh (Co-founder, Max.ng)
69. George Omoraro (CEO, The Rage Group)
70. Oluwamayowa Tijani (Journalist)
71. Bisayo Busari Akinnadeju (Founder, Project One Productions)
72. Funny Toheeb (Comedian)
73. Philip Obaji (Founder, 1 GAME: Football without Violence initiative)
74. Oluwatobi Ajayi (CEO, Nord Automobiles)
75. Abayomi Okubote (Senior Associate, Olaniwun Ajayi LP)
76. Bright Jaja (Founder, iCreate Africa)
77. Rt. Hon. Abok Nuhu Ayuba (Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly)
78. Olumide Idowu (Co-Founder, International Climate Change Development Initiative)
79. Otosirieze Obi-Young (Writer)
80. Efe Ajagba (Boxer)
81. Anna Ekeledo (ED, Afrilabs)
82. Adetola Onayemi (Assistant Chief Negotiator, Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations)
83. Abisola Akintunde (CEO, MakeupbyAshabee)
84. Francisca Ordega (Footballer, Shanghai Shenhua)
85. Gideon Olanrewaju (CEO, Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative)
86. Ire Aderinokun (Cofounder, BuyCoins)
87. Idia Aisien (OAP)
88. Abubakar Falalu (CEO, Falgates)
89. Richard Akuson (LGBTQ+ rights activist)
90. Yagazie Eguare (Photographer)
91. Zang Luka Bot (CEO, Zang Technology)
92. Fred Oyetayo (CEO, Fresible)
93. Didi Akinyelure (Journalist)
94. Alli-Bob Cinwon (Founder, Evergreen Initiative)
95. Olaseni Cole (Founder, Young Empowered Programmers)
96. Joey Akan (Journalist)
97. Hon Yusuf Adebisi (Rep, Ibadan South West 1 State Constituency)
98. Isaac Success (Footballer, Watford FC)
99. Desire Oparanozie (Footballer, Guingamp)
100. Leke James (Footballer, Molde FK)

The ranking is spearheaded by Avance Media in partnership with Reset Global People, VIPI State, Jagari Designs, Surge Studios, Watsup TV, Asuavo Security and Cliq Africa.