Cardoso named Best Central Bank Governor in Africa

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardoso, has been named Central Bank Governor of the Year at the 2025 African Banker Awards. The ceremony was held on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The award, presented by African Banker magazine, recognised Mr Cardoso for his strong and deliberate leadership. He was commended for spearheading critical reforms in Nigeria’s monetary and banking systems, which have played a key role in restoring stability and public confidence in the nation’s financial sector.

The Awards Committee cited measures undertaken by the Central Bank under Mr Cardoso’s stewardship to stabilise the naira, enhance transparency in the foreign exchange market, and rebuild trust in economic governance. These reforms, the Committee noted, have laid the groundwork for sustained economic growth and renewed investor interest.

Dr Nkiru Balonwu, a senior adviser to the Governor, received the award on his behalf. She was accompanied by Dr Victor Oboh, Director of Monetary Policy, and Dr Olubukola Akinwumi, Director of Banking Supervision. The delegation was later joined on stage by Dr Aloysius Uche Ordu, a member of the Central Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee.

“This recognition underscores the Committee’s appreciation of Governor Cardoso’s recent initiatives and the Bank’s pivotal role in addressing market distortions and charting a course for long-term economic resilience in Nigeria,” the organisers said.

Now in its 19th edition, the African Banker Awards are organised by African Banker magazine, with backing from the African Development Bank. The annual event convenes leading figures from across Africa’s public, financial, and development sectors to celebrate excellence in African banking and finance.