Nairametrics Crown Otedola Activist Investor and Market Maker of the Year, 2025

In a grand ceremony held over the weekend, Nairametrics, a leading financial news and analysis platform, presented its prestigious Capital Market Choice Awards to outstanding individuals and organizations in the Nigerian capital market.

The event, which was attended by key stakeholders and industry leaders, saw Mr. Femi Otedola, Chairman of FirstHoldCo Group, emerge as the Activist Investor and Market Maker of the Year, 2025.

According to Nairametrics, the award was given in recognition of Otedola’s significant contributions to the Nigerian capital market over the past two decades.

His strategic moves have had a positive impact on the market, making him a deserving recipient of the award. This recognition is a testament to Otedola’s dedication to shaping the future of the Nigerian capital market and his commitment to excellence in the financial sector.

In addition to Otedola’s individual award, companies under the FirstHoldCo Group umbrella also received notable awards.

FirstHoldCo Plc was named the Tier-One Bank of the Year (FUGAZ Bank of the Year), while FirstBank won the Agency Bank of the Year award.

This award is a reflection of the bank’s strength, strategy, and relevance in the agency banking and retail space in Nigeria.

First Asset Management, another member of the FirstHoldCo Group, was awarded the Fund Manager of the Year award, highlighting the company’s dominance in investment-related activities in the Nigerian financial sector.

These awards demonstrate the growing status of the FirstHoldCo Group as a major economic driver in the country’s financial landscape.

In a statement, Femi Otedola expressed his delight at the recognition bestowed upon him and the awards won by the companies in the FirstHoldCo Group.

“This attests to a collective focus in shaping the future of the Nigerian Capital Market and the strategic synergy in executing effective goals and objectives in the various locations where we operate as a Group,” he said.

Wale Oyedeji, Group Managing Director of FirstHoldCo Plc, also commented on the awards, saying, “The awards won show the laudable progression the Group is making towards delivering excellent service across board. This indeed will continue unabated.”

He congratulated Otedola on his well-deserved recognition, stating that it was a testament to his hard work and dedication to the industry.

Ugo Obi-Chukwu, Founder and CEO of Nairametrics, emphasized the importance of the Capital Market Choice Awards, saying, “This is our way of reinforcing the values that drive a robust capital ecosystem – trust, performance, and progress. These awards will now be a tradition, and we look forward to recognizing more outstanding individuals and organizations in the future.”