AMTY Recognition Alters Tech Entrepreneur John Onuigbo’s Career Path

Technology entrepreneur and co‑founder of Foris Labs, John Onuigbo, explained how being honored at the Anambra Man of the Year (AMTY) Awards altered his personal and professional path. He described the accolade as a pivotal moment that increased his visibility, credibility, and opened new doors.

In an interview, Onuigbo said that receiving the Anambra Innovator of the Year award in 2023 and the Most Impactful Young Person of the Year award in 2024 from the respected platform reshaped his trajectory in ways he had not anticipated.

Although he has gained international recognition and represented his startup at the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield in Silicon Valley, he noted that being acknowledged by his own community carries a unique satisfaction.

He argued that genuine impact should first be recognized locally, as local validation provides a sense of belonging and responsibility that global praise cannot replace.

“Most people chase global validation. But if the people in your immediate environment do not recognize your work, then something is incomplete. Impact must first make sense at home,” Onuigbo stated.

He recalled a defining moment after his nomination when his mother returned home in tears after neighbors told her that his photo had been displayed on a large AMTY billboard in Ogidi.

“I remember the morning everything shifted. I had received the AMTY nomination letter, and I was already excited. That alone felt big. Days later, I was working from home. My mom had stepped out to the market. A few minutes later, she rushed back into the house, screaming, crying, and hugging me,” he recounted.

Initially thinking something was wrong, his mother explained that people were congratulating her at the market because they had seen her son’s picture and name prominently displayed on a billboard mounted by the AMTY Awards organizers at one of Ogidi’s busiest roundabouts.

The co‑founder described the experience as unforgettable, noting that seeing his image publicly displayed in his home state made him reflect on how far he had come and highlighted the power of community recognition in inspiring excellence.

He added that the publicity from the awards, including newspaper features and public discussions, created fresh opportunities and lent greater legitimacy to his work, opening doors that had previously seemed difficult to access.

Beyond the plaques and public acknowledgment, Onuigbo emphasized that AMTY offers lasting value through mentorship, networking, and access to accomplished leaders willing to guide and connect emerging talent.

He praised the organizers for maintaining the integrity of the awards process, noting that no financial demand or hidden condition was attached to his recognition.

“I also deeply respect the integrity of the process. No money was requested. No hidden conditions. No ‘pay this to receive that,’” he testified, describing it as a rare mark of integrity, especially at a time when many awards have become transactional.

“In fact, if anything, it felt like genuine recognition and encouragement for people who are simply doing meaningful work,” he added.

Onuigbo described the annual ceremony as a gathering of some of Anambra’s finest minds across business, innovation, public service, and entrepreneurship, noting that participation alone broadens one’s perspective and reinforces the belief that individual achievements contribute to a larger movement for the state’s development.

The tech entrepreneur is the chief executive officer and co‑founder of Foris Labs, Nigeria’s first gamified virtual science laboratory. The educational technology startup enables students to perform practical science experiments through immersive digital simulations on mobile devices and computers. The innovation has gained international attention and was selected among the world’s top startups for the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield, where it represented Nigeria and Anambra State on the global stage.

Onuigbo added that the Anambra Man of the Year Awards remain “a gift that never stops giving,” maintaining that while global recognition is valuable, being celebrated by one’s own community remains one of the greatest motivations to continue creating solutions and making lasting impact.