The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has been awarded Central Bank Governor of the Year at the 2025 African Banker Awards, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Presented during a gala on Wednesday, May 28, the award was conferred by African Banker magazine in recognition of what the organizers described as Cardoso’s “bold and strategic” reforms that have restored confidence and stability to Nigeria’s financial system.
In a statement issued by the apex bank on Thursday, it was highlighted that the awards committee acknowledged the Central Bank under Cardoso’s leadership for its efforts in “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.”
Dr. Nkiru Balonwu, Adviser to the Governor on Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Communication, accepted the award on Cardoso’s behalf. She was joined by Dr. Victor Oboh, Director of the CBN’s Monetary Policy Department; Dr. Olubukola Akinwumi, Director of the Banking Supervision Department; and Dr. Aloysius Uche Ordu, a member of the Monetary Policy Committee.
The organizers noted that “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 edition, the African Banker Awards are hosted by African Banker magazine in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group, which serves as the event’s official patron.
The ceremony celebrates excellence in African finance and attracts senior government officials, commercial bankers, and development finance leaders from across the continent.