West African nominees for the 2014 AABLA announced

Following on from the success of the previous two regional rounds, held in East Africa on 20 September, and in Southern Africa on 2 October, Oriental Hotel in Lagos will play host to the West African round of the CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards Presented By Johnnie Walker Blue Label (AABLA).

The West African round will take place in Lagos on 23 October, 2014.

With Nigeria now Africa's top economy, the region has shown significant growth and resilience in recent years, championed by the likes of the AABLA nominees, all of whom will gather for the event to be held at the .

"The nominees in this year's AABLA Awards exemplify the game-changing vision that has helped to grow the West African economy, with Nigeria making incredible strides in this regard. Johnnie Walker Blue Label is proud to acknowledge all these individuals who, through their tireless innovation and pioneering spirit, have made a lasting impact on the continent's business sector," says Joe Nazzal Head of Reserve.

Nominees feature across five categories, representing the dynamic scope of Africa's thriving business sector from Business Leader of the Year to Business Woman of the Year; Young Business Leader of the Year; Entrepreneur of the Year and; Lifetime Achievement Award categories.

West Africa's business winners are expected to travel to Johannesburg, South Africa for the AABLA finale on 14 November where they will contend against other regional winners from Southern and East Africa for the title of Africa's most exceptional businesspeople in their respective fields.

The finalists for each category in the West African round are:
Business Leader of the Year

    Atedo N.A Peterside - Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC
    Obinna Ufudo - President/ CEO of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp)
    Oscar N. Onyema - CEO of Nigerian Stock Exchange
    Randall Edward Buday - Managing Director of DHL International Nigeria

Entrepreneur of the Year

    Marc Arthur Zang - Founder and CEO of Himore Medical Equipment
    Paola Audrey Ndengue - Founder & Freelance Creative Branding Consultant for Fashizblack Magazine/Pannelle & Co Agency
    Tayo Oviosu - Founder and CEO of Paga

Young Business Leader of the Year

    Chude Jideonwo - Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Red Media
    Adebola Tokunbo Williams - Co-Founder and Partner of Red Media
    Christian Ngan - Founder and CEO of Madlyn Cazalis Group
    Oluseun Onigbinde - Co-Founder and Lead Partner of BudgIT
    Seth Akumani - Co-Founder and CEO of Claimsync Ghana

Business Woman of the Year

    Adenike Ogunlesi - Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer of Ruff 'n' Tumble
    Arunma Oteh - Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria
    Olubunkunola A. George - Founder and CEO of HealthPlus Nigeria
    Sola David-Borha - CEO of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC
    Swaady M. Martin-Leke - Founder and CEO of Yswara, Ivory Coast

Lifetime Achievement Award
    The winner in this category, sponsored by Johnnie Walker Blue Label, will be announced at the event.