The Honours

Recognised for the work, and for the road.

Honours marking a longer commitment to African excellence — earned through years of building, convening and showing up. The awards and recognitions documented throughout this section reflect achievements associated with both Adebayo Adekunle and his professional identity, Phat B.

Awards & Recognition

Honours received

Official Recognition

Royal African Medal

Adebayo Adekunle receiving the Royal African Medal in recognition of leadership, cultural impact, entrepreneurship and contributions to African communities in the diaspora.

Award: Royal African Medal
Recipient: Adebayo Adekunle
Year: 2024
Category: Leadership, Cultural Impact and Community Development
Recognition: Outstanding contribution to African culture, entertainment, entrepreneurship and diaspora engagement.
Presented By: Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF)

Official Recognition

NUKSA Special Recognition Award

Honoured by NUKSA (Nigerian UK-Based Students' Association) for sustained leadership, social impact, community development and contributions to African culture, entertainment and the entrepreneurial diaspora.

Award: NUKSA Special Recognition Award
Recipient: Adebayo Adekunle
Year: 2025
Category: Social Impact, Community Development and Cultural Contribution
Recognition: Honoured for sustained leadership, social impact, community development and contributions to African culture, entertainment and the entrepreneurial diaspora.
Presented By: NUKSA UK Awards

Press Coverage

Featured Press Coverage

Independent media coverage and published interviews highlighting Adebayo Adekunle's contributions to entertainment, culture, entrepreneurship and diaspora engagement.

Independent Nigeria

Phat B Rolls Out Showbiz Plans For 2021

Feature coverage discussing Adebayo Adekunle's vision for entertainment, cultural exchange and diaspora engagement between the United Kingdom and Africa.

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Vanguard Newspaper

Expect Big December Shows In Lagos, Abuja – Phat B

National media coverage highlighting major entertainment projects and large-scale event initiatives in Nigeria.

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Leadership Newspaper

Phat B Ready For Big Yuletide Shows In Lagos & Abuja

Coverage recognising ongoing contributions to entertainment promotion and cultural programming.

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New Telegraph

UK-Based Showbiz Promoter Phat B Plans Big For Lagos & Abuja

Profile feature covering Adebayo Adekunle's role in connecting African entertainment with diaspora audiences.

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A Decade of Productions

Event Legacy

For more than a decade, Adebayo Adekunle has contributed to the growth of African entertainment across the United Kingdom and Nigeria through landmark concerts, cultural events and international productions.

2012
D'banj Live UK & Mo'Hits Records Live UK
HMV Apollo London
Presented by · MAN Entertainment & Phat B
2012 marked a defining period in Adebayo Adekunle's event portfolio, contributing to two landmark Afrobeats productions that helped strengthen the presence of African music within the UK diaspora market.
D'banj Live UK brought one of Africa's biggest music exports to a major London stage, while Mo'Hits Records Live UK united D'banj, Don Jazzy, Mo'Hits All Stars and a surprise appearance by Kanye West in what became one of the most memorable African music events of its era.
2014
Mavin Records UK Tour
Presented by · ASMG under INXS Entertainment UK
Featuring Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal and leading Mavin Records artists, the tour showcased the evolution of African music to audiences across the United Kingdom and represented the next chapter in the growth of Adebayo Adekunle's event portfolio.

Career Milestone · 2012

D'banj Live UK & Mo'Hits Records Live UK

HMV Apollo London · Presented by MAN Entertainment & Phat B

A historical archive from two of the most significant Afrobeats productions of their era — bringing D'banj, Don Jazzy, the Mo'Hits All Stars and a surprise appearance by Kanye West to a major London stage, and strengthening the presence of African music within the UK diaspora.

The Ceremony

Award Night Gallery

Stage moments, trophy presentation, audience and networking — captured at the Royal African Young Leadership Forum 2024 honouring evening with His Majesty the Ooni of Ife.

Official Certificate

Inducted into the Royal Court

Awarded the Royal African Medal in recognition of outstanding achievement in Creative & Culture, and inducted into the Royal Court of His Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi CFR, Ojaja II — Ooni of Ife.

Recipient: Adebayo Adekunle
Category: Creative & Culture
Date Conferred: 13th July, 2024
Signed By: Arole Oduduwa — on behalf of His Majesty the Ooni of Ife

The Record

Official Programme & Event Documents

Source documents from the Royal African Young Leadership Forum 2024 — official programme, honouree booklet and conferred certificate.

About the Honour

The Royal African Medal

The Royal African Medal is conferred by the Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF) under the patronage of His Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi CFR, Ojaja II — Ooni of Ife — to individuals whose work has measurably advanced African culture, enterprise and community development across the continent and the diaspora.

Recipients are inducted into the Royal Court and recognised for sustained contribution rather than single achievement — a lifetime standard of leadership, cultural stewardship and public service. The 2024 cohort gathered under the theme "Africa of the Future: Better Together."

Leadership Engagements