Alh. (Dr) Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), has been named as the Top10 Magazine’s Man of the Year 2026. He emerged from among many other distinguished personalities in a multi-stage rigorous selection and screening process.

He succeeds Alh. Nasiru Haladu Danu, OFR, Chairman of Casiva Ltd, who was the magazine’s Man of the Year for 2025. He joins a club of distinguished Nigerians who have won the crown since the inception of the award over 10 years ago, with Dr. Herbert Wigwe, the late Group Managing Director of Access Bank, as the pioneer winner of the award in 2016. Also on the magazine’s roll of honour are Umar Abdullahi, Chairman, Cosgrove Group (2020); Chief Samuel Onyishi, Chairman of Peace Mass Transit (PMT) and Founder of Maduka University (2022); Muhammad Nami, former Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS (2023), Senator George Akume (2024), among others.

In a letter conveying Alhaji Kwairanga’s selection as the Man of the Year 2026, the Board of Editors of the Magazine said it was in recognition of his towering leadership as custodian of Nigeria’s capital market, his role in driving national economic development, his championship of corporate governance, transparency, integrity and influence that defined Nigeria’s economic narrative in 2026. These, the givers of the award said, clearly stand him out as a man of excellence worthy of celebration, “hence the decision of our management to accord you this special recognition as the Top10 Magazine’s Man of the Year 2026,” the letter said.

In a year marked by economic reforms, market volatility and renewed investor search for trust and transparency, Dr. Kwairanga stood tall as a symbol of stability, integrity and visionary leadership. Under his watch, the Nigerian Exchange has emerged as one of Africa’s best performing markets, restoring investor confidence, attracting foreign inflows and providing capital for enterprise growth that creates jobs for millions of Nigerians.

As overseer of NGX Regulation, he has championed board accountability, shareholder protection, ESG compliance and global best practices, elevating Nigerian corporate governance to world standard. His influence goes beyond the trading floor of Marina. He is a trusted counsel to regulators, a respected voice in the Presidency’s economic circle, a bridge between the private sector and government, and a mentor to a generation of investors and entrepreneurs who see in him the embodiment of ethical capitalism. 

A man of unblemished integrity, quiet philanthropy and profound intellect, Dr. Kwairanga represents the best of Northern and Nigerian leadership – humble yet powerful, principled yet pragmatic, traditional yet globally minded. In a nation in search of role models who prove that one can be successful without cutting corners, powerful without being oppressive and wealthy without losing humanity, Alhaji Kwairanga stands as a beacon.

“For his towering leadership as custodian of Nigeria’s capital market, his role in driving national economic development, his championship of corporate governance and transparency, his integrity and influence that defined Nigeria’s economic narrative in 2026, the Board and Management of the Top10 Magazine unanimously select Alh. (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga as Man of the year 2026”, stated publishers of the Top10 Magazine.

The Top10 Magazine is a monthly publication established over ten years ago as a platform to celebrate excellence and people of excellence from all human endeavours.

The Top10 Man of the Year Award was also instituted the same year as an annual award by the magazine as the highest honour reserved annually for one distinguished Nigerian whose leadership, integrity, influence and national impact have defined the year.

This year’s recipient, Alhaji Umaru, a man of untainted character and impeccable reputation, is renowned for his unwavering commitment to success. Dr. Kwairanga has 25 years’ cognate experience in the banking, pensions, investment, manufacturing and commercial sectors. He has served previously as a Council member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and is currently a Council member of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria; and an active director on the boards of many quoted/listed and unquoted companies including Ashaka Cement Plc where he served for over ten years, first as a director and later as chairman of the Board. He is currently the GMD/CEO of Finmal Finance Services Limited.

He is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Fellow of Certified Pension Institute Nigeria (2005) and Fellow of Institute of Directors of Nigeria. He is Chairman – Commerce, Trade and Investment subcommittee of Gombe State transition committee.

Dr. Kwairanga has a B.Sc (Hons) Business Administration (1991) and MBA (1995) both from University of Maiduguri and M.Sc. Finance & Governance from Liverpool John Moores University (2007).

Mr. Tony Iji, Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of the Top10 Magazine, said the award will be presented to Alhaji Umaru at the Top10 Magazine’s Annual Excellence Awards night slated for November 22, 2026 which will be graced by crème de la crème of the society.

To mark this high-profile event, the magazine is putting together a special award edition to celebrate him and other awardees. The edition which will comprehensively chronicle his achievements, leadership journey, and contribution to Nigeria’s capital market and the economy in general.

By David Torough, Abuja

OurNigeria Magazine has announced plans for its 2025 OurNigeria Awards Ceremony, an annual event dedicated to celebrating Nigerians whose leadership, service and commitment to national development have made measurable impact across key sectors of the country.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to be held on Saturday, January 31, 2025, at 6:00 p.

m. at the Abuja Continental Hotel in the Federal Capital Territory.

In a press conference by the magazine’s editorial board, Chairman of the Editorial Board, Dr. AK Peters, said the awards remain its flagship initiative aimed at promoting excellence, patriotism and positive national values, while recognising individuals whose contributions often go uncelebrated.

The theme for the 2025 edition, “Providing a Podium for the Unsung Hero,” underscores the magazine’s mission to spotlight Nigerians who have demonstrated courage, sacrifice and consistency in nation-building, frequently without commensurate public recognition.

For the 2025 awards, the magazine has selected three distinguished Nigerians for top honours. The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, will be honoured as Man of the Year, while Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, emerges as Governor of the Year. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has also been named Senator of the Year.

The organisers said the honourees were selected after a rigorous editorial assessment process, stakeholder consultations and a review of their leadership records, public service and national influence within the period under review.

The ceremony is expected to bring together key leaders from government, the private sector, civil society, the diplomatic community and the media, with the aim of celebrating exemplary leadership and inspiring renewed commitment to national service.

In addition, the magazine released a draft list of national awardees and special guests ahead of its 7th Our Nigeria News Awards scheduled for 2026. The list includes prominent political leaders, military officers, academics, civil society advocates, entrepreneurs and media professionals who have distinguished themselves in service, leadership and advocacy.

Among those listed are Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as Minister of the Year, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for a Lifetime Achievement Award in Democratic Leadership, and Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji as Banker of the Year.

Several lifetime achievement and special recognition awards are also slated for figures in scholarship, interfaith dialogue, youth leadership, community service and public service.

The event is expected to feature high-profile dignitaries, including former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as Distinguished Guest of Honour, former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon as Father of the Day, and retired Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai as Chairman of the Awards.

Our Nigeria Magazine expressed appreciation to its media partners and stakeholders for their continued support in promoting positive Nigerian narratives and fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Practicing Journalists in Kogi state have expressed readiness to partner with the State Internal Revenue Service on tax administration enlightenment and adequate publicity of its activities.

Chairman, Correspondents’ Chapel, Kogi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Segun Salami, gave the indication when he led his members on a visit to the Executive Chairman of KGIRS, Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe.

Salami promised a robust collaboration with the agency in creation of public awareness on the need for all taxable citizens to embrace prompt payment of their personal income taxes.

“Our task as journalists is to assist the agency in meeting up with its target of revenue generation for Kogi government through our social responsibility duty of enlightening the people to key into regular and prompt payment of their taxes as when due

“Journalists also owe it as a duty to alert citizens on the need to contribute their quota towards the development of their state and the nation in general by meeting up with their financial commitment on prompt tax payment”

Salami advocated for quarterly media interaction with the agency as part of the partnership move in publicising  its activities.

He commended the Executive Chairman and his management team for the resouding success so far recorded in generating more revenue for the state government to provide the needed democracy dividends to the people.

Responding, the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe, expressed delight over the prevailing cordial relationship between his angency and practicing Journalists in Kogi since assumption of office.

He promised to sustain the feat in the interest of both parties geared towards achieving accelerated transformation of Kogi.

Enehe also  gave an assurance that he would live above board under the partnership agreement which according to him would go a long way in improving the agency’s services of mobilizing resources for the development of the state.