The NOVA Award: A global benchmark for excellence, resilience, and impact

Michael Adesina

In a world where recognition is often plentiful but prestige is rare, the NOVA Award has emerged as a distinction reserved for those who embody excellence, resilience, and a global impact. Presented at the Beyond Beijing 30 Summit during the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), the award has quickly positioned itself as a benchmark for transformative leadership.

Presented by Sanicle.cloud and co-hosted by a coalition including UNA-Nigeria, UNESCO Center for Peace, IBTK Foundation, AfricaTech NYC, The Real Studios, Luz Maria Foundation, and Femtech Weekend, the NOVA Award is more than a ceremonial accolade; it is a platform to celebrate and amplify leaders whose work is redefining the boundaries of possibility.

Selective, Nomination-Only Recognition

Unlike many honors that rely on open applications, the NOVA Award is strictly nomination-only. Candidates are identified through global networks of policymakers, industry leaders, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. An international review panel evaluates nominees against rigorous criteria:
● Proven excellence in their professional field

● Demonstrated innovation in shaping industries and advancing solutions with lasting social impact

● Commitment to equity, with a track record of initiatives that support, empower, or create opportunities for women and girls

This rigorous process ensures that only the most visionary leaders are chosen, making inclusion in the NOVA Award Class of 2025 a rare distinction.

A Legacy of Impact

Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the NOVA Award also introduced its Legacy Award category, recognizing individuals whose contributions have shaped industries, advanced innovation, and created lasting social impact. This honor highlights not only past achievements but also how these leaders’ work will continue to inspire and drive progress for the next 30 years.

Global Stage and Distinguished Company
The ceremony took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York, within the framework of the Beyond Beijing 30 Summit. Attendance was strictly by invitation, drawing ministers from Sierra Leone and Nigeria, senior UN officials, diplomats, and leading figures from the private sector and civil society.
Panels and sessions featured globally recognized experts, such as Councilwoman Roxy Ndebumadu, Yale’s Cecile Delcuvellerie, Seneca Forch of Columbia University’s SIPA Pan-African Network, and leaders from UNESCO and UNA-Nigeria—further cementing the summit’s standing as a nexus for global thought leadership.

Diverse and Distinguished Honorees

The 2025 NOVA Award class brought together leaders from government, corporate, academic, and grassroots sectors across multiple continents. Among the honorees were:
● Dr. Padmini Murthy, Global Health Director at New York Medical College

● Elizabeth Chen, Diplomat for the World Jewish Congress

● Ambassador Shāna Boutté, a multi-award-winning advocate recognized by U.S. President Joe Biden

● Gbenga Akingbulere, Software Engineer at Palo Alto Networks, is renowned for developing AI-powered fraud detection systems, strengthening financial security in Africa

● Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, Nigeria

● Dr. Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender & Children’s Affairs, Sierra Leone

● Ekanem Adeleke, a Biomedical Scientist and gender equity advocate recognized for her transformative contributions to policy and women’s empowerment

● Abisoye Oloruntoba, Software Engineering Manager with over 20 years of fintech experience leading major technology transformations at JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and Affirm

A Vision for the Future

“In launching the NOVA Award, we are not just honoring individual achievement, we are building a living network of changemakers who will shape the next 30 years of progress,” said Chaste Inegbedion, Founder of Sanicle.cloud and co-organizer of the Beyond Beijing 30 Summit. “This is about turning recognition into action, and action into lasting impact for communities worldwide.”

By combining selectivity, international visibility, alignment with the United Nations, and special categories like the Legacy Award, the NOVA Award has, from its very first year, met the hallmarks of a truly distinguished honor, one that stands to become a defining credential in the careers of its recipients.