The NXT Honors is built on more than recognition. It is a celebration of the people shaping Africa’s entertainment and creative landscape, and at the heart of that process is an independent Voting Committee made up of respected industry professionals and cultural voices from across the continent.
The NXT Honors 2026 Voting Committee brings together experienced voices with deep knowledge of Africa’s evolving entertainment ecosystem. Their collective expertise, perspective, and understanding of the industry will play a vital role in evaluating nominees and determining the individuals, works, and achievements deserving of recognition.
We are proud to present the NXT Honors 2026 Voting Committee, chaired by Egyptian musician and creative Mohammed Ramadan.
 
1. MOHAMMED RAMADAN
Egypt
Voting Committee Chairman
Mohamed Ramadan is an internationally acclaimed Egyptian entertainer, actor, singer, rapper, and producer whose influence extends across music, film, and pop culture. One of the Arab world’s most recognisable entertainment figures, Ramadan has built a career defined by cultural impact, boundary-pushing creativity, and an ability to connect with audiences far beyond his home market. 
From his success in Egyptian film and television to a chart-topping music career, Ramadan has consistently expanded the reach of African and Arab entertainment on the global stage. 
With a deep understanding of the African evolving entertainment landscape, Ramadan brings a distinctive perspective to the NXT Honors 2026 Voting Committee. As Chairman, he will lead a distinguished panel of industry voices in recognising the individuals and institutions shaping Africa’s creative future.
 
 
2. NOWE ISIBOR SEGUN OJO
Nigeria
Voting Committee Member
Nowe Isibor Segun-Ojo is a strategist, marketing and entertainment executive whose career spans strategic communications, public relations, brand strategy, business development and film marketing distribution. She has built her career at the intersection of communications, marketing, public relations, partnerships and entertainment, using strategy to shape narratives, build brands, influence culture and drive commercial success.
Nowe currently serves as General Manager, Distribution & Marketing at Nile Entertainment, where she leads theatrical distribution, marketing, audience engagement and strategic partnerships for Nollywood and international films across West Africa. Her portfolio includes collaborations with leading Hollywood studios, including Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures, alongside Nigerian filmmakers, producers and exhibitors.
 
3. JUSNAH GADI
Tanzania
Voting Committee Member
Jusnah Gadi is a music entrepreneur, known as the award-winning founder of Young Music Boss, a platform that provides resources, events and networking opportunities for emerging professionals in the music industry and the highly acclaimed Young Music Boss Awards. With a background in intellectual property and commercial law, she works to support artists and young executives by sharing knowledge on the business and legal sides of music. She is also involved in international music development initiatives as chair of Women In Music Tanzania and entrepreneurial ventures, including co-founding the London-based food brand and restaurant chain Hot N Juicy Shrimp LDN.
 
4. VAEDAR
Nigeria
Voting Committee Member
Vaedar, born Osamudiamen Edward Ekunwe, is a Nigerian music executive and senior A&R manager at Mavin Records, one of Africa’s leading music companies. With over a decade of experience in talent development, artist management, and music strategy, he has played a pivotal role in nurturing and advancing the careers of some of the continent’s most successful artists, contributing significantly to the global rise of Afrobeats.
Known for his expertise in artist development and creative direction, Vaedar has been instrumental in shaping impactful music projects and fostering creative excellence within the African music ecosystem. His commitment to discovering talent, building sustainable careers, and driving innovation in the entertainment industry has earned him recognition as a respected voice in contemporary African music.
 
5. KOFOWOROLA EZE
Nigeria
Voting Committee Member
Kofoworola Eze is an entertainment lawyer and music business consultant working across law, music, film and technology.
She currently serves as Legal Counsel (Africa) at ONErpm, where she advises on recording, distribution, licensing and other commercial arrangements across African markets. Her work includes structuring and negotiating music deals and advising on intellectual property, digital rights and cross-border transactions within the entertainment industry.
Beyond her legal practice, Kofoworola is passionate about helping African creatives better understand the business behind their work and make informed decisions about their rights, careers and commercial opportunities.
She is a member of the Recording Academy’s 2026 New Member Class and has contributed to industry conversations and initiatives focused on the continued growth of Africa’s music and creative economy.
 
6. CHRISTEL YAPOBI TANO
Côte d’Ivoire
Voting Committee Member
Christel Yapobi-Tano is an Ivorian entrepreneur and creative industries professional working across fashion, luxury, and culture. She is the founder of Matières Studio, a strategic consulting agency supporting African brands, designers, and cultural projects.
 
Her work sits at the intersection of African creativity and business, focusing on building sustainable ecosystems, elevating talent, and connecting brands with international markets.
 
7. PASCAL AKA
Ghana
Voting Committee Member
Pascal Aka is a renowned Ghanaian film director who launched his career in Canada in 2005, directing action-packed films such as Souls of Strife (2007) and Evol. (2010). He later moved to Ghana in 2012, where he expanded his portfolio by directing music videos for prominent artists.
With a career spanning two decades, Pascal Aka continues to push boundaries in African cinema, further establishing himself as a visionary filmmaker.
 
8. BENI TOSSOU
Republic of Benin
Voting Committee Member
Beni Tossou is a serial entrepreneur who has built two companies from the ground up into thriving enterprises across Africa. He is the CEO of PodLab, the leading business podcast and media in French-speaking Africa, reaching over 700,000 followers across all platforms, including more than 120,000 on YouTube. He also leads Marketing Lab, a consulting firm specializing in sales training, closer recruitment, and B2B commercial performance. Together, the two ventures now employ dozens of people across Cotonou, Abidjan, and Dubai. Beni’s approach is defined by a clear operating principle: execution beats theory, and focus beats scatter.
 
9. FAIZA HERSI
Kenya
Voting Committee Member
Faiza Hersi is a Kenyan music executive, entrepreneur, and cultural curator widely recognized for her contributions to the growth of East Africa’s contemporary music industry. A trained lawyer who transitioned into the creative sector, she founded Nairobi R&B, a pioneering platform that has helped elevate R&B and alternative music across the region by creating opportunities for emerging and established artists to showcase their talent.
Building on the success of Nairobi R&B, Hersi founded Soul Headquarters (Soul HQ), a female-led creative agency providing artist management, label services, distribution, public relations, and career development support. Through her work, she has managed and mentored artists such as Karun, Xenia Manasseh, AYLØ, and Altair Saïd, earning recognition as one of the leading voices driving the global growth and visibility of African music.
 
 
10. BENJAMIN OTWAL
Kenya
Voting Committee Member
Benjamin Otwal is a multifaceted Music Executive based in East Africa, with a passion for commoditising East Africa’s culture through developing artists, music strategy, and building impactful creative opportunities. 
With a strong understanding of the evolving music industry, he works to connect talent, brands and audiences while championing innovation and sustainable growth with the creative economy.
 
 
11. JEFF MUTUNGA
Kenya
Voting Committee Member
Jeff Mutunga is a Kenyan entertainment entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Canvass Agency and Canvass Records, with extensive experience spanning talent management, events, and the music industry.
He has a strong track record of championing talent and contributing to Africa’s growing creative economy, thereby driving opportunities across Africa’s creative ecosystem.
 
 
12. OLUWATOSIN SORINOLA
Nigeria
Voting Committee Member
Tosin Sorinola is a seasoned entertainment business and marketing executive with over a decade of experience in the digital streaming and music industry.
She has held key roles at Spinlet and Boomplay, where she led digital marketing, artist relations, media partnerships, and marketing strategies across Africa. She also co-founded The 400 Media Company, a digital music aggregation, distribution, and marketing company.
She currently serves as Senior Director of Marketing & Operations for Africa at EMPIRE, where she oversees marketing strategies for local and global talents.
 
13. LADUN AWOBOKUN
Nigeria
Voting Committee Member
Ladun Awobokun is an industry leader in Africa’s film and streaming ecosystem. She serves as Chief Content Officer at FilmOne Entertainment & Studios, part of the Filmhouse Group, and Head of Content Acquisition at KAVA, a streaming platform dedicated to African storytelling.
With over 16 years of experience across content production, distribution, and market research, she has helped shape the growth of modern Nollywood and the theatrical exhibition landscape. Over the past year alone, under her leadership, FilmOne distributed over 90% of the highest-grossing releases, including the only title to gross over ₦2 billion, while FilmOne Studios produced 10 feature films, accounting for 50% of Nollywood’s overall box office performance in the region.
 
 
14. LEBANG KGOSANA
South Africa
Voting Committee Member
Lebang Kgosana is an award-winning broadcaster and creative momtrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the media and entertainment industry. With a background in marketing and communications, complemented by her training at the YFM Academy, she has built a dynamic career spanning broadcasting, advertising, content production, and events.
Lebang’s excellence in broadcasting has been recognised with industry accolades, including the Telkom Radio Award for Best Drive Time Show in 2025 and the APVA Awards’ Podcast of the Year in 2024, for her work in digital audio storytelling.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lebang is a mother of six and a passionate advocate for intentional, present parenting. She is the host of the #LifeWithLebang podcast, where she explores themes of family, relationships, personal growth, and lifestyle through the lens of music and entertainment.
 
15. WILLIE IBORO SAMUEL
Nigeria
Voting Committee Member
Willie Iboro Samuel is a Nigerian actor and creative professional known for his contributions to indigenous-language filmmaking and storytelling. He gained recognition for his role in the acclaimed Igbo-language film Agwaetiti Obiụtọ (Island of Happiness), directed by Onyeka Nwelue, where he portrayed one of the film’s lead characters. His work reflects a commitment to promoting authentic African narratives and cultural representation through film.
Through his involvement in the creative industry, Willie has contributed to projects that celebrate Nigerian heritage and strengthen the visibility of local stories on screen. His dedication to the arts and storytelling continues to support the growth of Nigeria’s film and entertainment sector.
 
16. TEDDY GELDART
South Africa
Voting Committee Member
Teddy Geldart, aka Dopezuluboi, is a South African executive producer, director and creative producer whose career spans reality TV and scripted drama. He began as an actor before moving into production, including a notable 2009–2017 tenure at MultiChoice. He is known for strong creative instincts, particularly in storytelling, format development, styling and visual direction.
A recognised tastemaker, Teddy was named GBest Dressed in 2025 and has developed a distinctive fashion identity influenced by Miguel and Lenny Kravitz. His work has earned five SAFTA wins and two Royalty Soapie Awards, while his profile has also led to ambassador and influencer partnerships with major international brands. He is currently developing two new shows across reality and drama.
 
17. FRANKLIN GYAN JR
Ghana
Voting Committee Member
Franklin Gyan Jr. is a Ghanaian commercial photographer, creative entrepreneur, and founder of Eleventh Space, a creative production agency known for delivering high-impact visual campaigns for leading brands across Africa. Over the years, he has worked with notable organizations and brands, including MTN, Samsung, Toyota, Nestlé, Star Beer, and AfroFuture, earning recognition for his innovative storytelling and exceptional visual artistry.
Beyond his work behind the camera, Franklin is passionate about nurturing the next generation of African creatives. He founded Star Creators Africa, an internship and mentorship initiative designed to equip young talents with practical industry experience in photography, videography, content creation, and creative planning. Through his entrepreneurial ventures and commitment to creative excellence, Franklin continues to inspire and shape the future of Africa’s creative industry.
 
18. DEJI ONADEKO
Nigeria
Voting Committee Member
Deji Onadeko is a media entrepreneur, creative strategist, speaker, and the Founder and CEO of RedLantan Media, an integrated communications agency focused on public relations, strategic communications, brand marketing, content, and digital storytelling. 
With over 12 years of experience across broadcasting, media, content production, and communications, he has worked with brands across technology, fintech, and consumer sectors, helping them build stronger brands, tell compelling stories, strengthen their reputation and connect with their audiences.
Beyond his work in media and communications, he is passionate about creativity, innovation, capacity development, and building communities, particularly creating opportunities for young people to grow, develop their potential, and make meaningful contributions to society.
 
19. JOHN MALONGA
Republic of the Congo
Voting Committee Member
John Malonga is the Founder and CEO of Aubeco Group, a sustainable communications agency based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. He has worked with more than 20 clients across sustainable fashion, nonprofit organizations, artisan businesses, ecotourism, and corporate social responsibility (CSR), successfully completing over 50 projects rooted in ethical and impactful communication. He also leads “Les Prophètes,” a public initiative that makes sustainability accessible through hands-on workshops, including upcycling, food waste reduction, and green after-work events. Convinced that sincere communication must reject greenwashing, he brings the same standard and vision to his role on the NXT Honors 2026 Voting Committee.
 
20. HASSAN OYINDAMOLA AHMED
Nigeria
Voting Committee Member
Hassan Oyindamola Ahmed, professionally known as Hassan Tha Kreator, is a Nigerian filmmaker, director, producer and VFX artist based in Lagos. His work is rooted in visual storytelling, often exploring contemporary Nigerian experiences through bold concepts, genre and satire. He is the founder of Juju Film Studios and has created films that have screened and received recognition at film festivals and creative platforms in Nigeria and internationally. Beyond filmmaking, Hassan works in marketing and brand communications, combining storytelling, creative direction and strategy across both film and commercial projects.
 
Across 9 African countries, these 20 industry voices will help shape the 2026 edition of the NXT Honors and determine the achievements that deserve to stand among this year’s most significant.
  the continent.