By Ajibola Olarinoye
Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has been honored as the Central Bank Governor of the Year at the 2025 African Banker Awards Gala.
According to a statement from the CBN, the event took place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and was attended by senior government officials, leaders in development finance, and top executives from Africa’s banking sector.
The award, presented by African Banker magazine, recognizes Mr. Cardoso’s leadership in implementing essential monetary and regulatory reforms that have contributed to restoring stability in Nigeria’s financial system.
Organizers praised his “bold and strategic” decisions, which have enhanced market confidence and established a foundation for ongoing economic growth.
In their official statement, the Awards Committee highlighted the Central Bank’s efforts to stabilize the naira and mitigate volatility in the foreign exchange market.
“The statement highlighted that these initiatives have established a foundation for long-term macroeconomic stability and restored investor confidence.”
Dr. Nkiru Balonwu, Adviser to the Governor on Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Communication, accepted the award on behalf of the CBN Governor. She was accompanied on stage by Dr. Victor Oboh, Director of the Monetary Policy Department, and Dr. Olubukola Akinwumi, Director of the Banking Supervision Department. They were later joined by Dr. Aloysius Uche Ordu, a member of the CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
According to the event organizers, this recognition underscores the Central Bank’s efforts in tackling structural issues within the financial system, managing market expectations, and steering Nigeria’s economy toward sustainable growth.
This year’s ceremony attracted a diverse array of stakeholders, including finance ministers, central bank governors, CEOs of commercial and development banks, and other prominent figures.
