THISDAY Newspaper has earned a place among Nigeria’s Top 50 Brands for 2026. The recognition came during the Brand Nigeria Leadership Forum and Awards held in Lagos, which evaluated corporate reputation, market reach, and consumer trust across the country.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the awards body, Taiwo Olugboyede, commended the publishing firm for evolving from a print newspaper founded in 1995 by Prince Nduka Obaigbena into a global multi-platform network. He noted that the media house expanded its footprint in 2013 by launching ARISE News, operating studios in major cities including Lagos, Abuja, London, New York, and Johannesburg.
Olugboyede also pointed to the group's footprint in the creative and entertainment space through platforms like the THISDAY Awards and ARISE Fashion Week, which continue to showcase African design talent to the world. Between the newspaper and the television network, the organisation reaches an estimated 100 million audience members locally alongside 50 million in the diaspora, according to THISDAY.
Obinna Chima, the editor of THISDAY on Saturday, represented the Managing Director, Eniola Bello, at the ceremony. Chima thanked the organisers and maintained that journalism remains a vital tool for holding power accountable and driving societal progress, promising that the media house will continue to innovate.
On the wider list, Dangote Industries took the top spot for the ninth consecutive year with a Brand Strength Measurement score of 89.7. MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and Access Bank followed to complete the top five. Zenith Bank, BUA Group, FirstBank, Coca-Cola, and United Bank for Africa took up the rest of the top 10 positions.
A significant shift occurred on the list this year, as 27 indigenous brands made the final 50, surpassing the 23 multinational firms for the first time in over a decade. Olugboyede hailed the development as a major achievement for homegrown enterprises operating under tough economic conditions.
Fintech firm OPay Nigeria recorded the fastest climb on the chart, jumping 15 spots to finish 16th with a score of 59.10. The company also led the new Top 20 Fintech Brands list, finishing ahead of Moniepoint, PalmPay, Flutterwave, and Paystack.
