The 2025 edition of the Consumers Value Awards (CVA), which took place on November 26 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, brought together consumers, brand managers, and regulators to celebrate excellence for the fourth consecutive year. This year’s event’s high point was the introduction of the Citizens Score Card (CSC), a new framework that reflects how the public views important government agencies.
Akonte Ekine, CEO of BrandXchange and Convener of the Consumers Value Awards, spoke at the unveiling and clarified that the idea developed naturally during the nominations stage.
According to the Convener: “Consumers began listing government agencies alongside brands for consideration. This inspired us to examine the public sector closely and introduce a dedicated category.”
Nigerians have a unique opportunity to evaluate government organisations with their votes, thanks to the Citizens’ Score Card. Comparing institutions to one another provides information about how each adds to the larger discussion about Brand Nigeria.
This is the first time government agencies have appeared in the CVA voting categories in four years, according to Ekine. To provide structured feedback to public office holders and guardians of the country’s sub-brands, he said BrandXchange will continue to encourage citizens to take part in the nomination and voting processes once a year, BrandSpur news brand reports.
The Hand and the Cowry, a new standard CVA plaque, was also introduced in this edition, marking another important milestone. This symbolic item stands for honesty, trust, and the timeless principles that brands and customers share. One of Africa’s first trade symbols, the cowry shell represents not only the history of trade but also the human connections and cultural values that influence it.
The Hand and the Cowry emphasises CVA’s objective to honour companies that put real value, equity, and consideration for customer opinions first.
Continuing, he revealed: “Our goal is to promote a marketplace where trust and integrity thrive. By celebrating brands and institutions that embody these principles, we empower consumers to make choices aligned with their values.”
The occasion included the dedication of the Sola Salako-Ajulo Award for Consumerism Reporting, as well as the introduction of the Citizens Score Card. The first recipient, Raheem Akingboku, received the Hand and the Cowry plaque in recognition of his work in consumer advocacy journalism.
The Hand and the Cowry plaque honours the vibrant relationship between buyers and producers and is a distinctive representation of openness, trust, and Africa’s rich trading history.
The first nomination list included seven institutions:
- Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)
- National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
- National Orientation Agency (NOA)
- Public Complaints Commission (PCC)
- Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)
- Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)
- Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
The First Citizens Score Card’s highlights include:
- NAFDAC received 48% of the national vote for Best Agency in Consumer Satisfaction and Engagement and 56% for Most Friendly Regulatory Agency.
- With 47% of the national vote, FCCPC was chosen as the Best Complaint Resolution Agency.
- NOA was voted the Most Engaging Government Agency by an overwhelming 90% of voters.
- With 40% of the votes cast by citizens, NCC came in second place in the Public Complaint Resolution category.NCAA, with a total of 6% across categories, was rated the lowest-performing agency in the maiden edition of the CSC.