ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has been honoured as Central Bank Governor of the Year at the 2025 African Banker Awards, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The award, presented at a gala event on Wednesday, May 28, was conferred by African Banker magazine in recognition of what the organisers described as Cardoso’s bold and strategic approach to monetary and regulatory reforms, which they said have restored confidence and stability to Nigeria’s financial sector.
In a statement issued by the apex bank on Thursday, the awards committee praised the CBN under Cardoso’s leadership “for implementing key policy measures aimed at stabilising the naira, improving transparency in the foreign exchange market, and re-establishing policy credibility. These efforts have laid the groundwork for long-term macroeconomic resilience and renewed investor confidence,” the statement read.
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The Adviser to the Governor on Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Communication, Dr. Nkiru Balonwu, received the award on behalf of the CBN Governor.
She was joined on stage by the Director of the Monetary Policy Department, Dr. Victor Oboh; the Director of the Banking Supervision Department, Dr. Olubukola Akinwumi; and a Member of the Monetary Policy Committee, Dr. Aloysius Uche Ordu.
According to the organisers, “The award reflects the committee’s recognition of Governor Cardoso’s recent achievements and the Central Bank’s critical role in addressing market imbalances and repositioning the Nigerian economy for sustainable growth.”
Now in its 19th year, the African Banker Awards are organised by African Banker magazine in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group, which serves as the official patron of the event.
The annual ceremony brings together senior government officials, commercial bankers, and development finance leaders from across the continent to celebrate excellence in African finance.