Accra, Ghana – 27 – 28 February 2026
First Bank of Nigeria has been honoured with the African Leadership Institutional Excellence Award at the 15th ALM Persons of the Year Ceremony held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra.
The award recognises the bank’s enduring legacy of financial leadership, institutional resilience and innovation within Nigeria’s banking sector and across the African continent. With a long-standing history of operational excellence, customer-focused banking solutions and strategic investment in digital transformation, First Bank of Nigeria continues to set benchmarks in corporate governance, financial inclusion and sustainable banking practices.
READ ALSO: Dr Helen Oritsejafor Honoured with Special African Leadership Commendation Award at the 15th ALM Persons of the Year Ceremony
The African Leadership Institutional Excellence Award celebrates organisations that demonstrate consistent performance, ethical leadership and transformative impact within their industries. First Bank of Nigeria’s commitment to economic empowerment, SME support, infrastructure financing and technology-driven banking solutions underscores its pivotal role in strengthening Africa’s financial ecosystem.
The 15th ALM Persons of the Year Ceremony convened high-level political leaders, captains of industry, policymakers, diplomats and development partners from across Africa and beyond. The annual gathering remains a premier platform celebrating excellence in governance, business, public service and institutional leadership.
Other Distinguished Honourees at the 15th Edition Include:
• H.E. Austelino Tavares Correia, President, National Assembly of Cape Verde (represented by Leila Andrade, Chief of Staff to the President) – African Lawmaker of the Year
• Chief Lesi Maol, GMD, Giolee Global Resources Ltd, Nigeria – Community Development Leadership Award
• Mr Samuel Tafesse, Founder, Sunshine Investment Group, Ethiopia – African Philanthropist of the Year
• Rali Mampeule, Founder/CEO, South African Housing & Infrastructure Fund – Special African Philanthropist Icon Award
• Dr Helen Oritsejafor, Executive Chairman, Spring Sky Finance Company Limited, Nigeria – Special African Leadership Commendation Award
• African World Airlines – Africa’s Leading Global Connector
• DCG Isah Umar Gusau (Rtd), Deputy CG, Nigeria Customs Service – Distinguished Public Service Award
• Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Uganda – African Educationist of the Year
• Abdoul Karim Diallo, Director General, Société Nouvelle de Commerce S.A. (SONOCO Group), Guinea – African Leadership Excellence Award in Industrial Innovation & Economic Development
• General Abdelkérim Charfadine “Bèguera”, Director-General, National Mining and Marketing Company (SONEMIC), Chad – Special Africa Leadership Impact Award
• Mr Alexandre Carreira, Chief Executive Officer, Nova Sociedade de Seguros de Angola, S.A (NOSSA Seguros), Angola – Distinguished African Leadership Award in Insurance Innovation and Financial Excellence
• Mr Harry Anagnostaras-Adams, Executive Chairman, KEFI Gold and Copper PLC, Ethiopia – Special African Business Leadership Excellence Award
• Saxton Ghana Limited – Africa’s Media Innovation Partner
• Ms Djalila Abdourahim, Director General, Chadian Hydrocarbons Company (SHT), Chad – African Hydrocarbons Sector Institutional Leadership & Sustainable Energy Development Excellence Award
• Mr Sakir Yavuz, Founder & President, ATAFOM University International, Central African Republic – African Leadership Impact Excellence Award
• Prof Ntobeko Ntusi, President & Chief Executive Officer, South African Medical Research Council – African Public Health Special Leadership Commendation
• Mr Khulekani Mathe, Chief Executive Officer, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) – African Leadership Award for Excellence in Economic Policy & Private Sector Advocacy
• Dr Kelly Oluoch, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) – African Health & Institutional Development Leadership Excellence Award
• Dr Dinesh Shukla, Chancellor and Founder President, American International University West Africa (AIU), Gambia – African Education Leadership Award
• Dr Philip Oti-Mensah, Managing Director, UMB Bank Ghana – Special African Banking Leadership Commendation Award & Digital Bank of the Year (Ghana)
• Madame Paule Avomo Assoumou Koki, Director General, Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA) – Special African Aviation Regulatory Leadership Impact Award
• Dr Bruno Linyiru, OGW, Director General, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) – African Regulatory Leadership Excellence Award (Agricultural Sector Development)
• Eng. Luka Kimeli, Director-General, Kenya National Highways Authority – African Regulatory Leadership Excellence Award (Transport Corridors & Infrastructure Development)
• General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces, Uganda People’s Defence Forces – Special African Leadership Award for Defence & National Security Excellence
• Debele Kabeta, Commissioner, Ethiopian Customs Commission – African Public Sector Leader of the Year
• Charles Anosike, DG/CEO, Nigeria Meteorological Agency – African Public Sector Leader of the Year
• Eku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, Minister of Finance, Sierra Leone – African Government Minister of the Year
• Kenneth Matiba, MBS, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Institute of Supplies Management – African Regulatory Leadership Excellence Award (Public Procurement Integrity & Governance)
• Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah – African Political Leader of the Year
• Her Excellency Esperança da Costa, Vice President of Angola – African Female Leader of the Year
• Prof Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State, Nigeria – African Public Service Excellence Award
• John Kufuor, Former President of Ghana
• His Excellency The Right Honourable Samuel Matekane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho – African Inspirational Leadership & Good Governance Impact Award
• His Excellency Dr John Mahama, President of Ghana – African of the Year
The ceremony featured keynote addresses, award presentations and strategic networking engagements aimed at strengthening cross-border collaboration and leadership impact across Africa.
About ALM Persons of the Year
The ALM Persons of the Year Ceremony is an annual flagship event dedicated to recognising exceptional African leaders and institutions whose work has made significant contributions to governance, economic development, innovation and social transformation across the continent. Over the years, the platform has honoured Presidents, Prime Ministers, policymakers, business leaders and change-makers committed to advancing Africa’s progress on the global stage.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
King Richard
editor@africanleadership.co.uk
