CBN’s Sidi-Ali Completes Historic Spokesperson Awards Hat-Trick
The Acting Director of Corporate Communications at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Hakama Sidi-Ali, has been named 2026 Spokesperson of the Year at the National Spokespersons Awards. The honour was announced during the 6th National Spokespersons Awards and 4th Economic Confidential Annual Lecture, organised by Image Merchants Promotion Limited, publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and Spokespersons Digest, in Abuja. The award completes what organisers described as an unprecedented hat-trick for Sidi-Ali. She previously won the Outstanding Spokesperson – Banking Sector award in 2024 and retained the title in 2025 before emerging overall Spokesperson of the Year in 2026. Sidi-Ali’s latest recognition comes three years after she made history as the first female spokesperson in the CBN’s 66-year history, following her appointment by CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso in 2023. According to the organisers, the 2026 award recognised her contribution to economic communication, public confidence in the apex bank and the projection of Nigeria’s monetary policy internationally. The jury assessed nominees based on impact, innovation and originality, campaign reach, and quality of evidence. It also highlighted Sidi-Ali’s role in developing what it described as a proactive communications structure at the CBN through regular Monetary Policy Committee briefings, stakeholder engagements, investor relations, media management and international advocacy.
The CBN’s communications campaign also received international recognition after emerging as a finalist at the 2026 International Public Relations Association Golden World Awards. Earlier in 2026, Sidi-Ali was also recognised as African Iconic Female Spokesperson of the Year at the African International Women Recognition Awards, following a continent-wide public voting process. Chairperson of the awards jury, Professor Saudat Abdulbaqi, said the 2026 awards attracted 171 nominationsnationwide. Following an initial screening, entries that met the required standards of clarity, measurable impact and verifiable evidence proceeded to further stages, producing 30 finalists across 15 categories. Chief Executive Officer of IMPR, Alhaji Yushau A. Shuaib, said the awards were established to promote informed national discourse, recognise professional excellence and strengthen strategic communication in Nigeria. Sidi-Ali’s latest honour places her among the country’s most recognised public-sector communications professionals and marks another milestone in her career at the Central Bank.
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