The Nigerian stock market in 2025 reflects a year of remarkable resilience, strategic execution and selective sector momentum.
Despite economic headwinds, stocks in several sectors rose on the back of stronger earnings, improved liquidity and investor confidence from reforms.
According to data compiled by Nairametrics of the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX), more than 45 listed companies returned more than 100%, with some stocks gaining more than 1,000% in a record year.
It has been a relatively strong year, with the All Share Index (ASI) settling at 155,613.03 points, up 51.19% year-to-date. The market capitalization also expanded significantly, reaching 99.38 trillion naira by the end of the year. This compared to the market capitalization of 62.76 trillion Naira recorded as of December 31, 2024, marking an increase of about 58.4% year-on-year.
These impressive share price gains go beyond the headline numbers and are driven by the vision, strategy, and execution of our management team. From pharmaceuticals to manufacturing to insurance to technology, the year’s top performing companies were led by CEOs and managing directors whose leadership inspired operational excellence and investor confidence.
Rising stock prices are often the clearest reflection of effective leadership, and 2025 vividly demonstrated how management teams translate strategy into tangible market results.
Below is Nairametrics’ hand-picked list of top-performing CEOs and Managing Directors of the year who have driven commendable market returns through vision, discipline and execution.
Performance – N50.10(+223%)
Viola Adebayo is the Managing Director and CEO of Fidson Healthcare Plc and has over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical sector.
He graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos in 1988 and holds a Diploma in Advanced Computer Technology and Applications from the University of Ibadan.
Adebayo began his career with Glaxo Nigeria Plc in 1991 and later joined CAP Plc where he honed his sales and marketing expertise. He joined Fidson Healthcare Plc in 1996 and rose through the ranks from Sales and Marketing Manager (2001) to Sales and Marketing Director (2004), Operations and Technical Director, Deputy Managing Director (2022) and finally CEO.
He is a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and a Treasurer of the Institute of Directors (IOD). Mr. Adebayo has completed executive programs at Manchester Business School, Lagos Business School, IESE, Yale School of Management, and the Africa Global CEO Program.
During his tenure, Fidson Healthcare made one of the most significant capital market moves in recent years, including the formal launch of a N21 billion rights issue in 2025.
Under his leadership, Fidson Healthcare Plc delivered a strong re-rating in 2025, with the share price increasing from N15.75 at the beginning of the year to N50.10 by the end of the year, representing a return of 223% for investors.
This increase increased the market capitalization of the company, expanding from N35.57 billion in December 2024 to N114.98 billion by December 2025, also an increase of 223%.
