KEY POINTS

• Olayemi Cardoso received the Central Bank of the Year award in London on June 10.
• He dedicated the honor to the CBN’s board, management and staff.
• He cited Nigeria’s FATF grey list exit and bank recapitalization as key reform wins.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, has won the Central Bank of the Year award and dedicated the recognition to the board, management and staff of the apex bank. He described the honor as a reflection of the collective effort that has driven the institution’s reform agenda and strengthened confidence in Nigeria’s economy.

A win dedicated to the team

Cardoso received the award at the Central Banking Awards ceremony in London on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Speaking at the event, he thanked the organizers, Central Banking Publications, and the judges, and he congratulated the other institutions and individuals honored on the night.

Moreover, the governor insisted the recognition belonged to the wider team rather than to him alone. “I accept this award on behalf of the Board, Management and staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria,” he said. “Above all, it belongs to the many dedicated professionals who serve our institution with integrity, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the public good.”

Reforms behind the recognition

According to Cardoso, central banks worldwide have faced difficult conditions in recent years, and Nigeria has confronted significant challenges that demanded decisive policy action. Consequently, he said, the CBN pursued reforms to tackle persistent inflation, improve the foreign exchange market and invest in critical digital and financial infrastructure.

Furthermore, the governor said those reforms aimed to restore confidence in the financial system, sharpen policy credibility and strengthen the resilience of key institutions. He pointed to major milestones during the period, including Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list and the successful completion of the banking sector recapitalization exercise.

In addition, Cardoso credited the progress to collaboration among government agencies, financial institutions, development partners and other stakeholders. Although he acknowledged that challenges remain, he said renewed confidence has begun to emerge across several sectors, and he attributed the gains partly to the resilience of ordinary Nigerians.

“We receive this recognition with humility,” he said. “We see it not as a destination, but as encouragement to continue the important work ahead.” Ultimately, the governor pledged that the bank would keep preserving public trust, maintaining monetary and financial stability, and discharging its duties with professionalism, integrity and accountability.