CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso Named Africa’s Central Bank Governor Of The Year

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, 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 prestigious award, presented on Wednesday at a gala event hosted by African Banker magazine, recognized Cardoso’s “bold and strategic” reforms, which have helped restore confidence and stability in Nigeria’s financial system.

According to a statement issued by the Central Bank on Thursday, the Awards Committee commended Cardoso for key policy measures that have contributed to stabilizing the naira, enhancing transparency in the foreign exchange market, and rebuilding policy credibility.

“These reforms have laid a solid foundation for long-term macroeconomic resilience and renewed investor trust,” the statement noted.

The award was accepted on behalf of Cardoso by Nkiru Balonwu, Adviser on Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Communication. She was joined by top CBN officials, including Victor Oboh, Director of Monetary Policy; Olubukola Akinwumi, Director of Banking Supervision; and Aloysius Uche Ordu, a member of the Monetary Policy Committee.

Organizers said the recognition underscores Cardoso’s leadership and the CBN’s vital role in addressing market imbalances and positioning the Nigerian economy for sustainable growth.

Now in its 19th edition, the African Banker Awards are held in partnership with the African Development Bank and celebrate excellence in banking and finance across the continent.