FMDQ Group Celebrates Market Excellence at 8th Annual GOLD Awards

Nume Ekeghe

FMDQ Group PLC has once again honoured exceptional performance and innovation in Nigeria’s financial markets at its 8th Annual GOLD Awards, reaffirming its commitment to celebrating market excellence and fostering industry development.

The 2025 edition of the prestigious FMDQ GOLD Awards, which recognises market participants and stakeholders for their contributions between October 2024 and September 2025, was commemorated through a special publication across the Group’s digital platforms and select media outlets.

Since its inception in 2018, the FMDQ GOLD Awards have evolved into one of Nigeria’s most anticipated financial market events, spotlighting outstanding achievements that have shaped the country’s debt capital, foreign exchange, and derivatives markets.

Commenting on the significance of the Awards, Group Chairman of FMDQ Group PLC, Dr. Jibril Aku, noted that this year’s edition reflects both market resilience and innovation despite challenging economic conditions.

Aku, stated: “The 2025 FMDQ GOLD Awards are not just a recognition of excellence; they showcase the resilience of our markets and the innovation of our stakeholders. Despite changing economic conditions, market participants have consistently demonstrated adaptability and impact – showing that Nigeria’s financial markets can drive sustainable transformation and progress.”

In her congratulatory message, Group Chief Operating Officer, FMDQ Group PLC, Ms. Tumi Sekoni, added: “This year’s edition, presented through a special publication, continues FMDQ’s proud tradition of honouring the outstanding contributions of market participants and stakeholders, whose dedication continues to drive growth, enhance transparency, and build greater resilience across our markets and industry.”

FMDQ in a statement noted that the prestigious 2025 FMDQ GOLD Awards were presented following a rigorous verification process conducted by Ernst & Young, ensuring the integrity of the Awards’ process and outcomes. The GOLD Awards comprise five (5) broad categories: FMDQ Primary Market Awards, FMDQ Secondary Market Awards, FMDQ Members’ & Clients’ Choice Awards, FMDQ Leadership Award and FMDQ Recognition Award.

A total of twenty-five (25) Awards were presented, with two  subsidiaries of the Stanbic IBTC Group, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited and Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited recognised as winners of the Primary Market Champion Award (FMDQ Capital Markets Securities Origination) and the Secondary Market Champion Award (FMDQ Dealing Member of the Year), respectively. While the Primary and Secondary Markets Awards are data-driven, the FMDQ Members’ & Clients’ Choice Awards provide the opportunity for Members and Clients of FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited to nominate and vote for active participants across the fixed income and currencies markets.

The Leadership Award (FMDQ Capital Market Catalyst) in recognition of an entity’s potential to significantly impact the Nigerian capital markets, facilitate access to capital, value transfer and deliver effective and efficient risk management, was presented to the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Launch of the Investments & Securities Act 2025 which marks a landmark reform for the Nigerian capital markets. This will strengthen regulatory oversight, foster investor confidence, and align market practices with global standards to drive capital formation.

The Award for Financial Services Regulator Market Transformation Initiative was given to the National Pension Commission (“PenCom”) for the PenCom Reform Programme. This Programme has repositioned the Nigerian pension industry for greater resilience, transparency, and market impact.

Through the release of this year’s Awards edition, FMDQ Group reinforces its mission to build robust and globally competitive financial markets that serve as catalysts for economic development and national prosperity. Guided by its GOLD Agenda, the Group remains steadfast in promoting initiatives that foster transparency, inclusivity, and innovation across Nigeria’s financial landscape.