PEARL Awards names 2026 shortlist of NGX-listed firms, winners due 29 November

PEARL Awards Nigeria has released the names of companies in the running for its 2026 corporate performance awards, drawn from firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). The winners will be named at a ceremony on Sunday, 29 November at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the event held both in person and by live stream.

The shortlist was announced in Lagos by the awards body's President and Chief Executive Officer, Tayo Orekoya.

In banking, Zenith Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc and Wema Bank Plc made the list. BUA Foods Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc and NASCON Allied Industries Plc are up in the food products sector, while Seplat Energy Plc, Aradel Holdings Plc and Eterna Plc feature in oil and gas.

Other names on the list include Nigerian Breweries Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Okomu Oil Palm Plc, Champion Breweries, Ellah Lakes, Presco, Berger Paints Nigeria and Eunisell Interlinked.

How the winners are picked

Orekoya said the awards do not rely on nominations or popularity. Instead, a research team gathers figures from annual reports filed with the NGX and the exchange's daily official lists, then scores companies on ten financial measures.

Those measures include turnover growth, return on equity, return on assets, dividend yield, dividend growth, profit margin, share price appreciation, earnings yield, current ratio and net asset ratio.

The results are checked by the board's technical committee before the full board of governors gives final approval, he said.

"The ultimate winners are determined by performance outcomes, not by corporate influence, sponsorship considerations or popularity," Orekoya said.

He also called for stronger corporate governance, fresh regulatory thinking and steady government policy to help the capital market grow.

The awards have recognised listed companies since 1995 and were endorsed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2003.

Orekoya pointed to the proposed N2.15tn Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals initial public offering (IPO) as a possible boost to the market. If the offer succeeds and the shares are listed, he said, it could raise market capitalisation and draw in more investors.

He also noted that Jude Chiemeka, chief executive of the NGX, has been elected president of the African Securities Exchanges Association, which Orekoya said could help Nigeria attract cross-border investment.

The 2026 edition carries the theme "Celebrating Excellence, Inspiring the Future." The overall prize, the PEARL of the Nigerian Stock Market, will be revealed on the night, alongside special honours such as Stockbroking Firm of the Year, Issuing House of the Year and the Corporate Governance Award.

What happens next

All eyes are on 29 November, when the winners are named in Lagos. For ordinary Nigerians, the awards are a pointer to which listed companies are growing, paying dividends and being run well — the same firms many hold shares in through the stock market or through pension funds.