BNLF Vice-Chair Genevieve Wakeley-Jones receives Social Impact honour at Nigeria Magazine Awards

Being honoured as the winner of the Social Impact Award at the Nigeria Magazine Awards in London on Friday night goes beyond an individual accolade and reflects the work of the wider community of people involved in the British Nigeria Law Forum who give their time, energy, and commitment to building institutions, creating opportunities, and strengthening connections, says Genevieve Wakeley-Jones.

“The work that matters most is rarely done alone,” shared Genevieve, who was elected the Vice-Chair of the the British Nigeria Law Forum (BNLF) in late 2024, and alongside Chair Kash Balogun has helped lead an expansion and strengthening of the BNLF’s cross-border mission at it approaches its 25th anniversary. This includes the launch of a hugely successful, first-ever BNLF Nigeria Summit & Gala in Lagos last June. 

“I am grateful for the recognition, but even more grateful to be part of a community committed to building opportunities and strengthening connections for others.”

Themed as “Empowering to Give & Gain”, Friday night’s Nigeria Magazine Awards evening - the first of two celebratory events in London and Lagos - was held at the Africa Centre in Southwark, a charity that celebrates the diversity of Africa and its diaspora. Speakers included Bernadette Thompson OBE, the Director of People and Culture at North Middlesex University Hospital, Candy Ellie Graham, Creative Director Cultural Fashion & Arts CIC, and Adese Okojie, the founder of Black Women in HR (BWHR).

The winners of the Nigeria Magazine Awards 2026, including Genevieve, were selected after more than 4,000 votes were received from members of the global community, in what the awards described as “a rigorous voting process”. 

The Social Impact Award was presented to recognised social entrepreneurs and community leaders. Other categories at the Nigeria Magazine Awards 2026 include Education Excellence, Financial Innovation, Business Leadership, the Philanthropic Leader Award, Technology Pioneer, and Sustainability Leadership, among others. 

“I was truly honoured to receive the Social Impact Award,” shared Genevieve, while congratulating all the other honorees. “Through my work with the BNLF, I have seen firsthand how powerful those platforms can be when people come together with a shared sense of purpose. This moment was also a quiet reminder of the example set by my late father, Dr Joe Nwodo, who believed deeply in community leadership and service.”

Further winners of the Nigeria Magazine Awards 2026 will be honoured at a Lagos ceremony, to be held on the evening of Friday, 27 March.