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Rt. Hon. Sir Sam Onuigbo, the South-East representative on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and former member of the National Assembly, has been honoured with the African Impact Excellence Award 2025 by The Voice News Magazine, Netherlands.

The prestigious award is part of The Voice Achievers Awards, an annual global recognition event organised by the Netherlands-based publication. The 2025 edition—its 14th—is particularly historic as it will be held for the first time in Nigeria at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to the Award Committee, Onuigbo was selected for his pioneering sponsorship of the Climate Change Act 2021, as well as his perseverance in securing presidential assent for the legislation “against all odds.” The Committee noted that he has since remained a leading voice on climate change advocacy in Nigeria, across Africa, and on the global stage.

The Voice Achievers Awards has a rich history of celebrating exceptional African and global icons. Past honourees include the first President of Zambia, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda (Icon of Africa Award, 2012); former ICC Prosecutor, Ambassador Fatou Bensouda (African Woman of the Year, 2012); former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma (Icon of Democracy, 2013); former First Lady of Mozambique, Isaura Nyusi (African Heroine Award, 2019); the late Kenyan Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga (Icon of Democracy Award, 2019); renowned activist Prof. PLO Lumumba (African Leadership Award, 2019); Archbishop Margaret Benson-Idahosa (African Woman Leadership Award, 2014); Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu (African Ambassador Award, 2014); former European Parliament member Jan Pronk (Distinguished Career Award, 2017); and Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi of the UAE (Government Relations Award, 2021), among many others.

Onuigbo has consistently received recognition for his legislative impact. The House of Representatives Press Corps honoured him with the Dean of Bills/Most Dedicated Lawmaker Award (2021) in acknowledgement of his outstanding legislative contributions.

In May 2023, he was inducted into the National Assembly Most Valuable Parliamentarian (MVP) Hall of Fame, becoming one of only five lawmakers—out of 469 in the 9th National Assembly—and the sole inductee from Southern Nigeria to receive the honour. His inclusion was based on the transformative and inter-generational impact of his sponsored bills, particularly the Climate Change Act 2021, which experts consider a foundational instrument for steering Nigeria toward sustainable development.

Further solidifying his global influence, Business Insider (New York) named him among the Top 30 Global Leaders on Climate Action on November 27, 2023. The 10th House of Representatives also recognised him as a Worthy Ambassador of the House a day later.

Onuigbo has earned additional leadership and climate change awards from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, alongside multiple meritorious honours from the U.S. Department of State.

Most recently, he served as one of Nigeria’s delegates to the COP30 United Nations Climate Change Conference, held from November 10–21, 2025, in Belém, Brazil—further underscoring his sustained commitment to advancing climate action both at home and abroad.

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