The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Chief Dr Maurice Michael Vunobolki, is being honoured with the 2026 MIPAD Trailblazer Award for his contributions to banking, finance, corporate leadership, governance and economic development in Nigeria.
The recognition by the “Most Influential People of African Descent” (MIPAD) is taking place in New York City as part of activities surrounding the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
MIPAD invitation described the Vunobolki Award as a celebration of individuals whose pioneering achievements and leadership have created lasting impact.
The organisation particularly highlighted his decades of professional involvement in Nigeria’s financial sector, where he built a career spanning banking, financial management, development finance, consulting and corporate leadership.
The Organization said Vunobolki, a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, has more than 25 years of professional experience across banking, finance, entrepreneurship and development practice, according to his professional profile.
His banking career included senior management responsibilities at the defunct Oceanic Bank International PLC, where he served on the Senior Management Committee and was a Zonal Head for the North Central Zone.
According to his professional profile, Vunobolki developed banking risk-management tools and innovations during his career, adding to his experience in managing financial institutions and complex financial operations.
Beyond banking, Vunobolki has moved into international development finance and large-scale development programmes.
He has served as a coordinator in the Federal Government/World Bank-supported North-East Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) in Adamawa State.
MIPAD says the Trailblazer Award “recognises individuals whose leadership and pioneering achievements have contributed to lasting impact”.
The 2026 MIPAD Recognition Ceremony brings together prominent Africans and people of African descent, alongside global business leaders, policymakers, executives and other professionals during the UN General Assembly in New York.
The recognition comes as Vunobolki continues his public engagement in Nigeria, where he is the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the 2027 Adamawa State governorship election.
