Femi Otedola, Chairman of First HoldCo Plc and Geregu Power Plc, has been honoured as Activist Investor and Market Maker of the Year at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards for his impactful role in fostering investor confidence and corporate governance in Nigeria

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]emi Otedola, CON, the prominent Chairman of First HoldCo Plc and Geregu Power Plc, is set to receive the prestigious Activist Investor and Market Maker of the Year award at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards.

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The ceremony will take place on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Civic Centre in Lagos, recognising Otedola’s transformative influence on Nigeria’s capital market.

The award celebrates Mr. Otedola’s courageous and impactful contributions to shaping investor confidence, advocating for shareholder rights, and driving value creation within the Nigerian capital market.

His strategic, high-impact investments, proactive corporate interventions, and unwavering public stance on upholding strong corporate governance principles have established him as a powerful force for accountability and transparency in the market.

The Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Market Maker award category is specifically designed to honour individuals, institutions, NGOs, or organisations – excluding direct market operators or listed companies – who have demonstrably influenced the Nigerian capital market through advocacy, leadership, or strategic actions that have positively impacted corporate behaviour and investor sentiment.

The award citation particularly highlighted Otedola’s dedication: “Your commitment to promoting sound corporate governance, demanding performance, and championing shareholder value has helped catalyze capital market growth, investor enthusiasm, and sustained value creation.”

Your commitment to promoting sound corporate governance, demanding performance, and championing shareholder value has helped catalyze capital market growth, investor enthusiasm, and sustained value creation.

Otedola’s significant influence became particularly evident following his strategic acquisition of a major stake in FBN Holdings Plc, a move that ultimately led to his appointment as Chairman in 2024.

His entry into the boardroom redefined expectations regarding shareholder rights and performance accountability, significantly reigniting public interest in one of Nigeria’s oldest financial institutions.

Under his leadership, FBN Holdings, now renamed First HoldCo Plc, has reported record earnings and successfully restored market confidence.

Beyond his role at First HoldCo Plc, Otedola also presided over the historic listing of Geregu Power Plc on the Nigerian Exchange, marking it as the first power generation company to become publicly traded.

Since its debut, Geregu has witnessed an impressive surge of over 1,000% in its share price and has joined the elite group of SWOOTs (Stocks Worth Over One Trillion Naira), setting a new benchmark for value creation within the utilities sector.

Outside his prominent boardroom presence, Otedola holds several other notable positions, including Chancellor of Augustine University, Chairman of the Cuppy Foundation Board of Trustees, and Vice President of Save the Children UK.

These roles underscore his broader dedication to nation-building, adherence to ESG & SDG standards, philanthropy, and global advocacy for child welfare and education.

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The Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards serves as a platform to recognise institutions and individuals who have made enduring contributions to Nigeria’s capital market through reform, innovation, leadership, and public accountability.