FMDQ Group Celebrates Market Excellence through the 2026 GOLD Awards

FMDQ Group PLC (“FMDQ Group” or the “Group”) has, through its annual FMDQ GOLD Awards (“GOLD Awards” or the “Awards”), established a tradition of recognising and celebrating the institutions and market participants whose contributions continue to drive innovation, market depth, and competitiveness across FMDQ’s markets.

The 9th Edition of the GOLD Awards recognised outstanding performance and meaningful contributions by stakeholders during the October 2025 to September 2026 assessment period. Guided by FMDQ’s GOLD Agenda—Global Competitiveness, Operational Excellence, Liquidity, and Diversity—the Awards reinforce the Group’s commitment to advancing market quality and development.

For the second consecutive year, the Awards were commemorated through a dedicated publication, showcasing the 2026 recipients and their achievements. The publication was featured across FMDQ Group’s corporate website, social media platforms and selected media outlets.

Beyond celebrating individual achievement, the Awards reinforce our shared responsibility to strengthen market infrastructure, deepen liquidity, promote transparency, and build trust. The 2026 Edition further underscores FMDQ Group’s commitment to recognising excellence across its integrated financial market infrastructure—from Exchange and Central Counterparty to Depository and Private Markets services.

Commenting on the 2026 GOLD Awards, Mr. Zeal Akaraiwe, Group Chief Executive Officer, FMDQ Group, stated: “On behalf of the Board and Management of FMDQ Group PLC, I warmly congratulate all the winners and nominees of the 2026 FMDQ GOLD Awards. This recognition reflects the standards you uphold, the values you have created, and the innovative stance you have taken toward building a robust financial market ecosystem in Nigeria. We do not believe that markets evolve by chance. It takes concerted effort, deliberate commitment, challenging conventions, and innovation to ensure our markets are robust, sturdy, and grow at a significant rate. You all exemplify this commitment, and we want to congratulate and thank you for your contributions to the development of our markets.”

In her message, Ms. Tumi Sekoni, Group Chief Operating Officer, FMDQ Group, stated: “At FMDQ Group, we believe that building strong and globally competitive financial markets requires more than innovation and infrastructure. It requires sustained commitment to excellence, the highest standards and a collective determination to keep moving our markets forward. This belief is at the heart of the FMDQ GOLD Awards. By celebrating outstanding achievements, we do more than acknowledge success and make excellence visible. We reinforce the standards we aspire to, inspire others to raise the bar and encourage the excellence needed to positively shape the future of our markets. This year, we celebrate the Awardees’ achievements, reflect on how far our markets have come, recognise the participants driving progress today, and look ahead to even greater accomplishments in the years to come.”

Verification, Award Categories and Recipients

The credibility of the FMDQ GOLD Awards is underpinned by a structured and independently managed verification process. For the 2026 Edition, Ernst & Young (“EY”) served as the independent verifier, reinforcing FMDQ Group’s dedication to transparency, good governance, and the integrity of the Awards process.

The 2026 GOLD Awards feature five (5) distinct categories: FMDQ Primary Market Awards, Secondary Market Awards, Members’ & Clients’ Choice Awards, Leadership Award, and Recognition Award. Together, these categories honour achievements across FMDQ’s markets, celebrating both measurable performance and the remarkable contributions of individuals and organisations whose leadership drives meaningful progress in the industry.

A total of twenty-five (25) awards were presented this year. Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited received the Primary Market Champion Award (FMDQ Capital Markets Securities Origination), while Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited received the Secondary Market Champion Award (FMDQ Dealing Member of the Year). Other recipients across the primary and secondary markets categories included UAC of Nigeria PLC, Champion Breweries PLC, Anchor Funding SPV Limited, Coronation Merchant Bank Limited, Vetiva Advisory Services Limited, Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited, Chapel Hill Denham Management Limited, United Capital PLC, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, Coronation Merchant Bank Limited, and First Bank of Nigeria Limited, among others.

While the Primary and Secondary Market Awards are data-driven, the FMDQ Members’ & Clients’ Choice Awards provide an opportunity for Members and Clients of FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited to nominate and vote for outstanding participants across the fixed income and currency markets. Zedcrest Capital Limited, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, Prudent Energy & Services Limited, and Standard Chartered Bank London were recognised as winners in this category.

NBET Finance Company PLC received the Leadership Award (FMDQ Capital Market Catalyst) in recognition of its pivotal role in the Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme, a capital markets initiative aimed at settling legacy power sector debts dating back to 2015. This initiative demonstrates the potential of Nigeria’s capital markets to facilitate long-term financing solutions that address significant challenges in critical sectors of the economy. In addition, Mr Olayemi Michael Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, received the FMDQ Visionary Market Regulator Award under the Recognition Award category. The Award recognises a financial markets regulator who has demonstrated exceptional vision and leadership in implementing regulatory reforms that strengthen market development, transparency, efficiency and investor confidence, while supporting growth in Nigeria’s financial markets and economy.

Through the GOLD Awards, FMDQ Group continues to reinforce its commitment to promoting a financial market ecosystem defined by high standards, transparency, innovation and global competitiveness. As the Group advances its GOLD Agenda, the Awards provide an important platform to recognise progress, celebrate impactful contributions and encourage continued excellence across its markets.

We congratulate all recipients of the 2026 FMDQ GOLD Awards.