According to The Guardian, all the young people that matter in Nigeria can be found at the venue of “The Future...” Awards – this perfectly captures the essence of the event.

“The Future...” is a celebration of youth and achievement – it honours young Nigerian achievers between the ages of 18 and 31, basically through the keenly-sought-after awards, in 15 categories which are judged via a 3-month rigorous process, supervised by Dr. Reuben Abati, Prof. Pat Utomi, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, amongst 25 others in the Independent Audit Committee and the Board of Judges.
The aim of “The Future...” is first, it is to inspire young Nigerians by showing them others as young as themselves who have managed to conquer the ‘difficult’ Nigerian environment. Second, it is to show Nigerians proof (through the nominees, who are presented as role models) that there is concrete hope, for the nation in its young people...

In different sectors – from business, through the entertainment industry up to advocacy – young people are beginning to take charge and to take over. A revolution has taken place, a positive one, and what we are doing is accelerating this change, to encourage it, and to sustain it. Looking away will be a dis-service not just to this enthusiastic, passionate Nigerians – but also to our nation, Nigeria, and its future.
“The Future…” has a four-point agenda:

1. To celebrate youth and honour achievement
2. Correct present destructive stereotypes of the Nigerian young person
3. National Integration
4.To present authentic role models

But apart from these goals, what “The Future…” also achieves is a fine mix of all kinds of young people, from all backgrounds, leanings etc – both in the nominees list and in attendance at the event. There is a balanced mix of the famous and the non-famous, the rich and the have-nots, those in the ‘serious’ and those in the ‘soft’ industries.
One other very important detail that defines the event is the fact that everything about it is handled completely by young people – from the sound to the decoration, the emceeing, the performances, the directing … everything! It is also interesting to note that this event is conceptualised, packaged and organized by young people under the age of 22!
Attendance is also strictly by invitation. All the young people who got the invitations were selected specially by the Panel. The idea is that, every year, young people will work hard to QUALIFY for the event.

Bottom line: every year, The Future… Awards is the BIGGEST gathering of the brightest and best young inds that Nigeria has, and together, they prove that they have come of age – and are ready to move Nigeria to the next level!