Africa Icon
Africa Icon Blue Garnet Awards (Non-Competitive – Lifetime Impact, 2005–2025)
Do you know a leader whose work in education has changed lives across Africa and the world?The Africa Icon Blue Garnet Awards is NESA-Africa 2025’s highest-tier non-competitive honor, reserved for exceptional individuals across Africa and the diaspora who have demonstrated sustained, transformational impact on the continent’s education landscape from 2005 to 2025.
Coverage & Representation:
• Africa & Diaspora – Honoring education icons from all five African regions (North, West, East, Central, and Southern Africa)
• Diaspora Africans – Recognizing Africans abroad who have contributed to Africa's educational development
• Friends of Africa – Honoring global allies, organizations, and leaders outside Africa who have supported Africa's journey toward Education for All
Award Subcategories
Africa Education Philanthropy Icon
For philanthropists whose sustained contributions between 2005–2025 have transformed educational access, infrastructure, and opportunities across Africa.
Literary & New Curriculum Advocate
For educators, authors, and reformers who have advanced curriculum modernization, cultural literacy, and learning innovation in line with Africa's evolving needs.
Africa Technical Educator Icon
For champions of technical and vocational education whose work has strengthened Africa's workforce readiness and bridged the skills gap over the last two decades.
Award Philosophy
While many awards celebrate short-term excellence, the Africa Lifetime Education Icon Award seeks to immortalize educators, policy advocates, reformers, and champions whose impact has redefined access, equity, innovation, and resilience in African education.
Social Impact Focus (2005–2025)
Nominees must have made significant, measurable contributions to:
- Increasing access to quality education
- Supporting educational equity across gender, region, and socio-economic groups
- Innovating learning systems through technology, arts, curriculum reform, or teacher training
- Advancing Africa's progress toward UN SDG 4: Quality Education and AU Agenda 2063 Goal 1
How Winners Are Chosen
Winners are selected through extensive impact assessment by the NESA-Africa Awards Board.
Selection is based on documented achievements, long-term influence, and cross-border impact in at least two African regions or in both Africa & the Diaspora.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime honor — each recipient can only win the Africa Icon Blue Garnet Award once.
Recognition for All Nominees
Even if a nominee does not win, they can:
- Download a Certificate of Nomination & Recognition via EduAid Africa
- Certificates are available with a voluntary donation, which directly supports scholarships, teacher training, and school rebuilding programs across Africa
Award Overview
Target Recipients
- Education policy pioneers
- Innovators of scalable education models
- Champions of inclusive and equitable learning
- Diaspora leaders funding African education
- Founders of transformational NGOs or institutions
- Government or multilateral partners in reform
Nomination & Evaluation Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Step 1 – Public Nomination | Open from July 15 – November 1, 2025 via nesa.africa |
| Step 2 – Judges Evaluation | Ongoing from September – November 20, 2025 using weighted criteria |
| Step 3 – Final Deliberation | Judges convene in closed session to select 9 Icons across 3 focus areas:
|
| Step 4 – Recognition | Award Gala Night: December 22, 2025; profile published in NESA Legacy Journal |
Recognition Package
- Blue Garnet Trophy (Symbol of Continental Education Impact)
- Blockchain-secured Digital Certificate (via GFA Wallet)
- Published Profile in NESA Legacy Journal
- NESA TV Feature + Interview
- Invitation to NESA 2025 Gala & VIP Networking Lounge
- Optional Printed Certificate upon request
Key Dates Summary
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Nomination Opens | July 15, 2025 |
| Nomination Closes | November 20, 2025 |
| Judges Evaluation Period | September – November 20, 2025 |
| Webinars on NESA-TV | October 13 – December 13, 2025 |
| "It's In Me" Radio Podcast | From September 2025 |
| Award Gala + Recognition | December 18, 2025 – Muson Centre, Lagos, Nigeria |
How to Nominate
Visit www.nesa.africa or scan the QR code below to submit your nominee.
Nomination Process:
- Complete the online nomination form
- Provide detailed information about the nominee's contributions
- Include supporting documentation of their impact
- Submit before the November 20, 2025 deadline
“This is Africa’s Nobel Prize for Education. The Blue Garnet is not given—it is earned through decades of sacrifice, innovation, and people-centered transformation.”— Dr. Babashola Santos-Aderibigbe, CVO, Santos Creations Educational Foundation (SCEF)
Purpose
This award recognizes outstanding educators, philanthropists, advocates, and innovators whose work has transformed education systems and inspired generations. By highlighting these icons, we aim to promote the importance of education, in line with SDG 4's mission to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Benefits
- Awardees: Gain national and international recognition, increased opportunities for collaboration, and validation for their contributions to education. Winners will be inducted as Fellows of the Santos Creations Educational Foundation (SCEF).
- SCEF Fellows Role: Inducted Fellows will have the opportunity to mentor upcoming educators, contribute to strategic planning for educational initiatives, and participate in high-level discussions and policy advocacy efforts aimed at advancing education in Africa.
- Africa: Showcases the richness of African culture and the innovative use of education, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of the role of education in societal development.