Patoranking, award-winning Nigerian musician and global music trailblazer, was honoured with the prestigious Baobab Award (Strongest Tree) at The Best of Africa Awards 2025. The exclusive ceremony and dinner took place on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at The Londoner in Leicester Square, London, according to a statement.
Celebrating this year’s theme of “Innovation,” the Best of Africa Awards recognised Patoranking for his powerful role in shaping global culture through music and creative influence. The honour spotlights an artist whose inspiring story, extensive catalogue of hits, and significant community impact continue to resonate across Africa and the diaspora.
Hosted by award-winning comedian and presenter Eddie Kadi, the evening saw Patoranking use his acceptance platform to pay tribute to his roots and emphasize his lifelong commitment to investing in future generations, particularly through education.
“We are nothing without where we come from,” he shared from the stage. His message aligns perfectly with the Best of Africa’s mission to elevate leaders who drive meaningful change across sport, business, entertainment, philanthropy, and advocacy.
The 2025 celebration also honored other luminaries, including Angélique Kidjo (Lifetime Achievement), Ozwald Boateng (History Maker), Alex Iwobi (Baobab – Sport), and Nuno Espírito Santo (Outstanding Management).
Founded in London in 2011, Best of Africa (BoA) has become one of the UK’s most prestigious platforms for recognizing African excellence. The organisation’s past guests and winners include giants like Anthony Joshua, Sir Mo Farah, Stormzy, N’Golo Kanté, Yaya Touré and Baroness Valerie Amos.
Patoranking, a defining voice in Afro-dancehall with over 2 billion global streams and Billboard-charting projects, pairs his chart success with sustained humanitarian work. Through the Patoranking Foundation, he has directly impacted over 5,000 young people and awarded more than 250 scholarships. This work is amplified by his role as the United Nation Development Programme’s (UNDP) Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Africa.
The Baobab Award (Strongest Tree) specifically recognises this deep-rooted influence: artistic excellence, tangible social impact, and a legacy that strengthens the next generation.
