By peace Udugba
FMDQ Group PLC, Nigeria’s leading integrated financial market infrastructure group, has marked the 8th edition of its prestigious GOLD Awards, continuing its tradition of recognising excellence in the Nigerian financial markets.
Held on November 7, 2025, the FMDQ GOLD Awards celebrated key market participants whose contributions significantly advanced FMDQ’s markets between October 2024 and September 2025. The Awards, which stand for “Governance, Organisational, and Leadership Development,” honour institutions and individuals instrumental in the growth and development of the Nigerian financial system through FMDQ’s platforms.
This year’s celebration was conducted via a digital publication, featuring awardees across FMDQ’s official website, social media platforms, and select media outlets. The virtual format reflects the Group’s commitment to innovation and sustainability while maintaining its core objective of honouring excellence.
FMDQ reaffirmed its dedication to acknowledging stakeholders whose active participation across its market segments—Exchange, Central Counterparty, Depository, and Private Markets—has contributed meaningfully to the Group’s strategic goals and the broader Nigerian economy.
The GOLD Awards continue to spotlight the importance of collaboration, innovation, and integrity in driving financial market transformation and sustainable economic development in Nigeria.
Since its launch in 2018, the FMDQ GOLD Awards have grown to become one of Nigeria’s most anticipated financial market events, bringing together key stakeholders in a collective celebration of market excellence. The Awards promote industry collaboration and unity while recognising exceptional achievements and leadership.
Speaking on the 2025 edition, Dr. Jibril Aku, Group Chairman of FMDQ Group PLC, noted:
The 2025 FMDQ GOLD Awards are not merely a celebration of excellence—they are a reflection of the resilience, innovation, and commitment that define Nigeria’s financial markets. Even amid evolving economic landscapes, our stakeholders have shown remarkable adaptability and influence, proving that our markets can be a force for sustainable progress.
In her remarks, Ms. Tumi Sekoni, Group Chief Operating Officer, FMDQ Group PLC, stated:
“This year’s edition, presented through a commemorative publication, continues our enduring legacy of honouring outstanding contributions across the financial market ecosystem. These awards highlight the drive, integrity, and impact of participants who continue to shape and strengthen our markets.
Reinforcing its commitment to governance and transparency, the 2025 GOLD Awards process was independently verified by Ernst & Young, ensuring credibility and objectivity in award selection.
The Awards span five broad categories:
– FMDQ Primary Market Awards
– FMDQ Secondary Market Awards
– FMDQ Members’ & Clients’ Choice Awards
– FMDQ Leadership Award
– FMDQ Recognition Award
Through the GOLD Awards, FMDQ continues to elevate standards, inspire innovation, and build a more robust financial market infrastructure for Nigeria.
A total of twenty-five (25) awards were presented at the 2025 FMDQ GOLD Awards, with notable wins for subsidiaries of the Stanbic IBTC Group. Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited received the Primary Market Champion Award (FMDQ Capital Markets Securities Origination), while Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited clinched the Secondary Market Champion Award (FMDQ Dealing Member of the Year). While the Primary and Secondary Market Awards are data-driven, the FMDQ Members’ & Clients’ Choice Awards empower FMDQ Members and Clients to nominate and vote for outstanding participants in the fixed income and currencies markets.
The Leadership Award (FMDQ Capital Market Catalyst)—recognising transformational contributions to the capital markets—was presented to the Federal Government of Nigeria represented by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), for the successful launch of the Investments & Securities Act 2025. This milestone legislation is expected to enhance regulatory oversight, bolster investor confidence, and bring Nigeria’s capital market framework in line with global best practices.
Another significant recognition, the Award for Financial Services Regulator Market Transformation Initiative went to the National Pension Commission (PenCom) for its Reform Programme which has reshaped the Nigerian pension industry by enhancing resilience, transparency, and systemic impact.
Through this year’s GOLD Awards, FMDQ Group reaffirms its commitment to fostering deep, liquid, and globally competitive financial markets in Nigeria. Anchored on its GOLD Agenda, the Group continues to champion transparency, innovation, and inclusivity as critical pillars for market development and national economic growth.
Full details of the 2025 FMDQ GOLD Awards and the list of awardees are available on FMDQ’s official website and media platforms.
FMDQ Group is Africa’s first vertically integrated financial market infrastructure (FMI) group, uniquely positioned to support the full transaction lifecycle within the financial markets. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries—FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited, FMDQ Clear Limited FMDQ Depository Limited and FMDQ Private Markets Limited —the Group offers end-to-end services, including the registration, listing, quotation, and noting of securities; integrated trading, clearing and central counterparty services; settlement; securities depository; and comprehensive data and information solutions.
As a sustainability-driven institution, FMDQ Group also champions the transition to a greener economy through the FMDQ Green Exchange, Africa’s first dedicated green exchange, operated under FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited. This platform reinforces FMDQ’s commitment to sustainable finance and climate-resilient economic growth across Nigeria and beyond.
