CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso Named African Banker of the Year
By Patience Ikpeme
Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has been awarded the prestigious Central Bank Governor of the Year award at the 2025 African Banker Awards Gala.
The ceremony took place on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Abidjan.
The award, presented by African Banker magazine, acknowledges Governor Cardoso’s leadership in guiding monetary and regulatory reforms. Event organizers noted that these reforms have successfully restored stability and confidence within Nigeria’s financial system.
In a statement, the Awards Committee commended the Central Bank of Nigeria under Governor Cardoso for implementing key policy measures designed to stabilize the naira, enhance transparency in the foreign exchange market, and re-establish policy credibility. The Committee observed that these initiatives have prepared the ground 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 Governor Cardoso’s behalf. She was joined on stage by Dr. Victor Oboh, the Bank’s Director of the Monetary Policy Department, and Dr. Olubukola Akinwumi, Director of the Banking Supervision Department. Dr. Aloysius Uche Ordu, a member of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), later joined them.
Organizers stated 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 year, the African Banker Awards are organized by African Banker magazine, with the African Development Bank Group serving as its official patron. The annual event brings together senior figures from government, banking, and development finance institutions from across the continent to celebrate excellence in African finance.
