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Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder of BUA Group, shared the spotlight with Aliko Dangote and MTN Nigeria on Monday night as corporate heavyweights dominated the Nigerian Exchange Made of Africa Awards 2025 in Lagos.
The annual ceremony, hosted by Nigerian Exchange Limited during its year-end engagements, brought together regulators, listed companies and market operators to celebrate excellence in compliance, sustainability and market performance.
BUA Cement PLC, a flagship of Rabiu’s conglomerate, was named the Most Compliant Listed Company, underscoring its adherence to regulatory standards and corporate governance principles in a year that tested balance sheets and boardrooms alike.
Dangote Cement also secured recognition as Best Issuer in Fixed Income Listings, reinforcing its influence in the debt market and its long-standing presence on the Exchange.
MTN Nigeria emerged as a major winner, clinching the Leadership in Sustainability Reporting award ahead of Seplat Energy, BUA Cement and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria PLC. The award acknowledged the telecom giant’s alignment with national and global reporting standards and its expanding environmental, social and governance disclosures.
Dr Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Limited, said the awards reflect the responsibility placed on capital market operators and quoted companies to set standards beyond size and profitability.
“Excellence in compliance, sustainability, and several other categories recognises the fact that capital market operators and quoted companies must be standards not only in terms of the size of their operations but also adherence to regulations and best practices of corporate social responsibilities,” he said.
Kwairanga noted that this year’s honourees showed measurable improvements in branding, customer service and operational systems despite economic headwinds.
Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria, described the recognition as affirmation of the company’s direction.
“This recognition for Leadership in Sustainability Reporting underscores our commitment to transparency and aligning with global best practices,” he said, adding that MTN remains focused on comprehensive and standard compliant reporting as the market demands deeper accountability.
Other firms recorded multiple wins across competitive categories. Chapel Hill Denham stood out with awards for Fund Manager with the Largest Listed Fund Size and Market Operator with the Highest Value of Foreign Portfolio Investment transactions.
Cardinal Stone Securities Limited earned the titles of Broker of the Year and Equity Trader of the Year, reflecting strong trading activity and execution. Transnational Corporation of Nigeria PLC, known as Transcorp, received special recognition for Capital Market Excellence in Equity.
Jude Chiemeka, Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited, congratulated the award recipients and highlighted the market’s recent performance. He said the Exchange closed the year with a 51 percent rise in the All Share Index, placing it among the best performing markets globally.
He urged listed companies and operators to sustain the pace, stressing that discipline, transparency and innovation remain central to deepening investor confidence and advancing the ambition of a one trillion dollar Nigerian economy.
