By Kadiri Abdulrahman
The Debt Management Office (DMO) has once again been honoured at the 2025 Made-of-Africa Awards by the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), receiving the “Special Recognition for Capital Market Excellence (Fixed Income)”.
The NGX said that the prestigious honour marked the third consecutive year the DMO had been celebrated for its capital market excellence following similar wins in 2023 and 2024.
It also said that the recognition highlighted significant impact and pioneering initiatives of the DMO in developing Nigeria’s fixed-income securities market.
“These initiatives, such as the introduction of long-dated government bonds, the sukuk and the green bonds, have opened up the domestic market to other borrowers – corporates and state governments.
“Also, through the issuance of Federal Government of Nigeria securities and the adoption of best practices, the DMO has attracted diverse investors, including foreign investors to Nigeria,” it said.
Meanwhile, the DMO expressed commitment to improving the country’s fixed-income securities.
“As the DMO celebrates its 2025 recognition by the NGX Group, it remains committed to implementing further initiatives and collaborating with stakeholders to elevate Nigeria’s fixed-income securities to higher levels,” it said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DMO is a Federal Government agency responsible for managing Nigeria’s public debt.
Its key functions include managing Nigeria’s domestic and external debt, advising government on borrowing and debt sustainability, and issuing government securities like FGN bonds, treasury bills and sukuk.
It is also responsible for maintaining a reliable debt database, and developing strategies to reduce debt risks and costs.
The current Director-General of the DMO is Patience Oniha.
Oniha has played a key role in developing Nigeria’s domestic debt market, including introducing benchmark bonds and expanding investor participation.
She also introduced sukuk and green bonds to help finance infrastructure; issuance of long-term bonds domestically and internationally, including 30-year tenors; strengthening debt management reforms, and broadening investor participation.
In her role, the director-general continues to guide Nigeria’s public debt strategy and institutional capacity, working with stakeholders locally and internationally to manage the country’s debt efficiently.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
