The Board of Governors of PEARL Awards Nigeria will confer on Alhaji AbdulSamad Isyaku Rabiu, Founder and Chairman of BUA Group with Lifetime Achievement award for National Economic Development. The award is slated in Lagos on November 30,2025.

The Awards’ President, Tayo Orekoya revealed in a statement signed by Olisemeka Obi, the Project Manager, PEARL Awards 2025 that the Lifetime Achievement Award, instituted in 2020 in commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of PEARL Awards Nigeria, is awarded once in five years and reserved for outstanding personalities who have contributed significantly to the pragmatic growth and development of the Nigerian economy.

According to Orekoya, the first recipient of this noble Award was Alhaji Aliko Dangote. The award is to celebrate Rabiu’s remarkable achievements and contributions to Nigeria’s industrial growth in the manufacturing sector, the Nigerian Capital Market and the nation’s economy as a whole through exemplary and visionary leadership, innovative business acumen and excellent human and capital management.

He said for three decades, the PEARL Awards has remained the only awards body in Nigeria that honours quoted companies on the basis of merit, using verifiable, empirical data. Instituted in 1995, the Awards promote healthy competition, transparency, corporate governance and performance among companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). “Now in its 30th year, the Awards continue to uphold their founding mission of Recognizing and Rewarding Excellence in the capital market.

Orekoya said the 2025 edition—tagged The 30th Anniversary Pearl Awards Nite—promises to be the most spectacular yet, with the theme “Celebrating a Legacy of Corporate Excellence.” The event will attract an illustrious gathering of business leaders, regulators, policymakers and captains of industry. Expected dignitaries include senior officials of the Federal Government; the leadership of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), top CEOs of listed companies; past award recipients; and distinguished private-sector icons.

Award categories for this year span the traditional Sectoral Leadership Awards, Market Excellence Awards, and the highly coveted Overall Highest Award – The PEARL of the Nigerian Capital Market. Special categories such as the Corporate Governance Award, CSR/ Sustainability Award, and PEARL CEO of the Year Award further reflect the broad spectrum of performance and leadership recognised by the Awards.