The award recognises Kwairanga’s contributions to Nigeria’s capital market as he advocates wider investor participation and increased capital mobilisation for economic growth.
The Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, has received the Capital Market Personality of the Year Award from the Finance and Business Online Publishers Association (FiBOP) at its 2026 Conference and Awards in Lagos.
The award recognises Kwairanga’s contributions to the development of Nigeria’s capital market and his leadership of the NGX Group, a key institution in the country’s financial system.
The award was presented during the FiBOP conference, which brought together policymakers, regulators, business leaders, investors and media professionals to discuss strategies for unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential.
The conference was held under the theme, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Economic Potential: Taxation, Industry, Insurance, Fintech, Trade and Investment as Catalysts for Nigeria’s $1 Trillion Vision.”
Kwairanga’s recognition comes as the Nigerian capital market assumes an increasingly important role in mobilising investment, supporting business expansion and financing economic development.
Speaking at the conference, the NGX Group chairman highlighted the need for Nigeria to deepen participation in the capital market, noting that achieving the Federal Government’s $1 trillion economy ambition would require substantial investment in infrastructure, productive enterprises and job creation.
He disclosed that NGX market capitalisation had risen from less than ₦50 trillion to more than ₦163 trillion since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, describing the capital market as a critical partner in the country’s economic transformation.
Kwairanga also emphasised the importance of attracting more retail investors, revealing that the exchange was targeting an increase in its investor base from fewer than five million to 10 million.
He identified broader investor participation as essential to mobilising domestic capital and enabling more Nigerians to benefit from investment opportunities.
The NGX chairman further highlighted the Dangote Refinery equity offer as an opportunity to attract local and international investors while deepening participation in Nigeria’s capital market.
He called for stronger collaboration among government, regulators, businesses, financial institutions and the media to improve financial literacy, build investor confidence and expand access to investment opportunities.
Kwairanga expressed appreciation for the recognition, attributing the progress of NGX Group to teamwork, institutional support and the contributions of colleagues, the board and investors.
The FiBOP Conference and Awards recognises individuals and organisations whose activities contribute to Nigeria’s financial and business sectors, while providing a platform for discussions on policies and investments capable of advancing economic growth.
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