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By Chukwuma Umeorah
Regulatory compliance and transparency remain key drivers of investor confidence in Nigeria’s capital markets, industry stakeholders said at the 2025 Made of Africa Awards hosted by Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). The event recognised institutions and market operators whose adherence to established rules and standards has contributed to orderly trading, accountability, and sustainable market growth.
Executive Commissioner, Operations, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bola Ajomale, said recognition through the awards underscores the importance of adherence to market rules. “Recognition through the Made of Africa Awards reinforces the importance of adherence to market rules and standards. When operators demonstrate accountability and professionalism, it strengthens investor confidence, ensures market integrity, and supports sustainable growth across Nigeria’s financial markets,” he said.
Ajomale added that consistent compliance is critical as the market grows in size and complexity, noting that observance of regulatory standards safeguards investors and preserves orderly trading. According to the NGX, the awards align with ongoing efforts by NGX and regulators to broaden market participation, deepen liquidity, and strengthen governance standards across Nigeria’s equity and fixed income markets.
Group Chairman of NGX, Umaru Kwairanga, said the awards emphasise the role of market participants in maintaining high standards. “Their achievements set a benchmark for performance, integrity and innovation across the capital market,” he said, adding that sustaining discipline and transparency is essential to maintaining trust among domestic and international investors.
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Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX, highlighted the importance of collaboration and efficiency across the ecosystem. “Operational efficiency and cooperation across the ecosystem are increasingly important as trading activity diversifies and investor expectations continue to rise,” he said, stressing that stronger coordination among brokers, issuers, trustees, and regulators supports market resilience.
Among the institutions recognised were Transnational Corporation Plc, the Debt Management Office (DMO), CardinalStone, Chapel Hill Denham, and MTN Nigeria Communications. The awards celebrated brokers, issuing houses, trustees, fund managers, listed companies, and other market participants for compliance, value delivery, and market impact.
On his part, Jude Chiemeka, Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited, noted that recognising strong performance encourages deeper participation and facilitates long-term capital mobilisation.
First Trustees Limited won Best Trustees in Terms of Deal Value, while CardinalStone Securities emerged as Equity Trader of the Year and Broker of the Year. Chapel Hill Denham received awards for Fund Manager with the Largest Listed Fund Size and Market Operator with the Highest Value of Foreign Portfolio Investment Transactions. Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers was named Fixed Income Trader of the Year, and Capital Express Securities won ETPs Trader of the Year.
In the primary market segment, Mainstreet Capital and APT Securities and Funds jointly won Issuing House with the Highest Number of Primary Market Equity Transactions, while Anchoria Advisory Services led in corporate bond issuances. Dangote Cement was named Best Issuer in Terms of Fixed Income Listings, and BUA Cement received the award for Most Compliant Listed Company. Transnational Corporation Plc was honoured for Capital Market Excellence in Equity.
Special recognition was given to the DMO for fixed income market development and to the Capital Markets Correspondence Association of Nigeria for capital market reporting. Lambeth Capital/Bamboo Systems Technology were recognised for onboarding the highest number of new retail investor accounts.
