Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has been honoured as the Central Bank Governor of the Year at the 2025 African Banker Awards held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The award was presented during a gala ceremony on Wednesday, May 28, by African Banker magazine.

Cardoso was recognised for his bold and strategic leadership in implementing monetary and regulatory reforms that have strengthened confidence and stability in Nigeria’s financial system.

In a statement by the apex bank on Thursday, it was noted that the awards committee stated that the Central Bank under Cardoso’s leadership was recognised “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.

Dr. Nkiru Balonwu, Adviser to the Governor on Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Communication, received the award on behalf of Cardoso.

She was accompanied on stage by Dr. Victor Oboh, Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria’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.

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.”

Currently in its 19th year, the African Banker Awards are hosted by African Banker magazine in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group, the official patron of the event.