Nigeria’s corporate giants – Dangote Cement, Zenith Bank, Access Holdings, Seplat Energy, AIICO Insurance, and Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) – have been named among the country’s top-performing companies at the maiden edition of the NextMoney Top 100 Companies Awards held in Lagos.
Newsonspot reports that the ranking and awards were presented by NextMoney Magazine, a publication of the Centre for Financial Journalism, following an in-depth analysis of the 2024 audited financial reports of publicly listed companies on the Nigerian Exchange.
Other notable performers included First HoldCo, NEM Insurance, and Axa Mansard Insurance, all recognised for their financial strength, governance standards, and contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.
The event, themed “Nigeria’s Top 100 Companies: Yesterday, Today and the Future,” was chaired by Dr. Ije Jidenma, Chairman of the Nigeria – South Africa Chamber of Commerce, while Mr. Olufemi Awoyemi, Chairman of Proshare Nigeria, delivered the keynote address.
In his welcome address, Mr. Ernest Ebi, Chairman of the Centre for Financial Journalism (represented by Professor Akpan Ekpo), emphasised that the awards are rooted in objectivity and transparency, relying solely on audited financial statements – a verifiable measure of corporate performance.
“This is not an award you can lobby for or influence. It is earned and deserved,” Ebi stated. “We celebrate companies that uphold financial discipline, good governance, and shareholder value. These organisations are not only profitable; they are principled and shaping the future of Nigeria’s economy.”
In his keynote speech, Awoyemi urged corporate leaders to use their success as a springboard for long-term sustainability, advising them to develop strategies that ensure continued relevance over the next decade.
At the event, several companies received multiple awards for outstanding performances across different categories:
Dangote Cement – Most Valuable Company in Nigeria (by market capitalisation) and Largest Employer
Zenith Bank – Most Profitable Company in Nigeria
Access Holdings – Largest Company in Nigeria (by total assets) and Largest Company by Revenue
Seplat Energy – Highest Tax Paying Company in Nigeria
AIICO Insurance – Largest Insurance Company in Nigeria (by assets, revenue, and employees)
Axa Mansard Insurance – Most Valuable Insurance Company and Highest Tax Paying Insurance Company
NEM Insurance – Most Profitable Insurance Company
GTCO – Most Valuable Bank in Nigeria
First HoldCo – Largest Bank in Nigeria by Number of Employees
In the manufacturing sector, Dangote Cement dominated all five award categories, earning recognition as the Largest, Most Profitable, and Most Valuable Manufacturing Company in Nigeria, as well as the Highest Tax Paying Manufacturer.
The NextMoney Top 100 Companies Awards highlighted the growing impact of Nigeria’s leading corporations and underscored the vital role of transparency, innovation, and sound financial management in building a sustainable economy.
