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The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Yemi Cardoso, has described his emergence as The Sun Man of the Year as heartwarming and elixir to continue to work for the transformation of Nigeria’s economy.
He said the recognition, coming from a widely respected newspaper, is appreciated the more because it was never lobbied for.
He spoke in Lagos when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, led a team to present to him a letter nominating him for the award.
Cardoso, 36 others and two organisations will be honoured in different categories in The Sun Awards ceremony slated for January 31, 2026 at the Expo ConventionCentre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos .
The CBN governor said: “I sincerely thank The Sun for this honour. The Sun is one of the few serious newspapers that I respect. I have a lot of respect for the newspaper.
The governor noted that the apex bank had to embark on reforms because they were the only options left if the economy must be reinvented.
He expressed happiness that the efforts were paying off and vowed to continue to work tirelessly to reposition the economy.
Cardoso thanked The Sun for demonstrating boldness in reporting the truth always and particularly commended the organisation for understanding the apex bank’s reforms programme.
He said: “ I read you always. I know how much you have helped in communicating our programmes to millions of Nigerians. I accept this award because I know what you stand for.”
Earlier, the MD commended the CBN governor for working hard to reinvent the economy. He said that the Man of the Year award, which is the flagship of The Sun honour, was based on his record since assuming office.
He said: “You have strengthened collaboration with fiscal authorities, recognising that sustainable growth demands policy harmony between the CBN and the Ministry of Finance.
“In the last two and half years, the foreign reserve has been steadily rising and has hit an all-time high of about S41.046 billion since 2021. With a strong foreign reserve, the use of Nigerian banks ATM for financial transactions abroad has since been restored.
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“The CBN has cleaned up the Ways and Means regime, which was abused by the previous government, with N30 trillion debt left behind. You are sanitising the Point of Service (POS) operation with geo-tagging aimed at combating fraud and making the tracing of financial transactions easier. You are a silent achiever, who has, indeed, walked your talk.
“For the reforms you have carried out at the Central Bank of Nigeria, steering the financial system in the right direction, The Sun Board of Editors chose you as winner of The Sun Man of the Award 2025.“
Continuing, Ukeh said: “Under your leadership, the Central Bank has discontinued arbitrary interventions, restructured its operations, and prioritised transparency and accountability. With the unification of the exchange rate regime and several other monetary policy reforms, the Naira-Dollar exchange rate has stabilised and foreign currency is available for the asking. Indeed, your ‘Back-to-Basics’ monetary policy has been widely applauded for reducing distortions in the Foreign Exchange market and improving the credibility of monetary management.”
Apart from Cardoso, other individuals and organisations to receive awards include; Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and Sen. Solomon Adeola, Senator representing Ogun West (Man of the Year); Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Gov Bassey Otu of Cross River (Governor of the Year).
The First Lady of the Year award goes to Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma of Imo State while the Political Personality of the Year award would be received by Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, just as HRM, Igwe Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi Kingdom would receive the Most Outstanding Royal Father of the Year award.
The Minister of the Year goes to Mr. Nyesom Wike, Minister of FCT, while the Lifetime Achievement Award would be received by Oba Rashid Ladoja, Olubadan of Ibadanland; Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); and Chief Simeon Eyisi, Chairman/CEO, SIMS Nigeria Limited.
Like Prof. Stella Ifeanyi Smith, the Public Service Personality award will also be received by Dr. Emeka Agbasi, MD/CEO, Federal Road Maintenance Agency, while the Banker of the Year award goes to Mr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, MD, Premium Trust Bank Plc, just as Investor of the Year award will be received by Dr.Julius Rone, CEO, UTM Offshore Limited; Chief Andrew Oru, Chairman, Rojitel Group and Engr. Oguchi Emeka, Chairman/CEO, Point Technologies Ltd.
The Entrepreneur of the Year award would be received by Prince Charles Ezeagwu, CEO, Charzin Group; Mr. Olasunkanmi Owoyemi, Chairman, Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited; Chief Mike Duru Ejiogu, CEO, Citygate Group and Dr. Eric Opah, CEO, Fortune Global.
Mr. John Ezeobi, chairman, Zobis Cable Nigeria Limited; Chief Emeka Agbanari, chairman, Seaman Group, and Chief Peter Orogwu, chairman, Chuby Zion Industries Limited, would receive the Industrialist of the Year award, with Real Estate Icon award going to Dr. Stephen Maxwell Nweze, Chairman if Seman Global Concept Limited.
The Humanitarian Service Icon award goes Sen. Jubril Barau, Deputy Senate President and Chief Obioma Success Akagburuonye, CEO of Praco International Limited, with the Hospitality Icon award going to Mr. Paul Onwuanibe, CEO, Landmark Africa Group, owners of Landmark Nike Lake Hotel & Resorts, and Chief Livinus Anigbogu, CEO, AG Lexon Nig. Limited, owners of Villa Park Hotel & Suites.
The Courage in Leadership award would be received by Bishop Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, while the Nollywood Icon award goes to Dr. Kenneth Okonkwo, ace actor, film producer and activist.
Mrs. Onyeka Michael-Ugwu, founder, Hello Perfect and Mr. Tunde Onakoya, founder, Chess in Slum Africa, would receive the Young Achievers award, with Zenith Bank Plc receiving the Bank of the Year award and Opay Digital Services Limited receiving Fintech/Digital Bank of the Year award.
