By Peter Egwuatu

The immediate past Chief Executive Officer of NASD Plc, Eguarekhide Longe has received commendation for his pivotal contributions to the growth and development of the company, as well as the broader Nigerian financial services industry.
The commendation came at a send-off ceremony organised in his honour, where the Executive Commissioner, Operations, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bola Ajomale, and Chairman of the Board of NASD Plc, Olayimikah Bolo, amongst others, joined members of staff in celebrating Longe’s leadership and professional achievements.
Ajomale commended Longe for sustaining the development of NASD after taking over the leadership of the institution, noting the progress recorded under his stewardship.
The SEC Commissioner’s remarks underscored Longe’s ability to build on the foundation inherited from his predecessor while positioning the institution for continued growth and development.
Similarly, Bolo praised the former CEO for his professionalism and passion for work, describing his commitment to the organisation as a significant part of his legacy.
The staff, in their goodwill message, presented by the company’s Head, Research and Strategy, Oludare Fajimolu, described Longe as a “well-rounded professional” whose career spanning more than three decades had been characterised by consistency, excellence and professionalism across various segments of the financial services industry.
They noted that his experience cut across stockbroking, asset management, financial advisory, pensions and the stock exchange, among other areas.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, the staff said Longe’s most enduring contribution was the people and culture he built.
They described him as a leader who took a genuine interest in the welfare and professional development of his team, while encouraging new thinking, collaboration and continuous improvement.
“As a phenomenal leader, Mr. Longe inspired confidence, encouraged new thinking and fostered a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement,” the staff said.
The staff also praised Longe for combining his demanding professional responsibilities with commitment to his faith and family, while expressing appreciation to his wife and children for their support and sacrifices throughout his career.
They said his legacy at NASD extended beyond institutional achievements, stressing that he had created a solid foundation upon which future leaders could build.
“Your contributions not only established the strong foundation laid by your predecessor but also created a solid foundation for others to build upon, setting a remarkable example in leadership and administration,” they said.
The staff described Longe as “visionary and very pragmatic,” as well as empathetic, firm, professional and approachable.
They also highlighted his sense of humour, noting that his jokes had often been therapeutic, even in demanding work situations.
As he begins retirement, the staff suggested that Longe could consider becoming a visiting lecturer at a business school, where he could share his wealth of experience with the next generation of professionals.
They also proposed that he could deploy his extensive experience and ability to think holistically as a consultant to the Federal Government on policy implementation and issues of national impact.
The staff prayed that Longe and his family would be rewarded for his years of service and wished him fulfilment, good health, peace and continued impact in the next phase of his life.
They described working with him as a blessing and said his legacy would remain an important part of NASD’s history and in the lives of the many people he positively impacted.
In his response, Longe, who was accompanied by his wife, Abisola, expressed appreciation to the board, management and staff for the recognition and for the opportunity to serve the organisation. He acknowledged the contributions of those who worked with him during his tenure and reflected on the importance of teamwork and institutional continuity in achieving sustainable growth.
He also thanked his family for their support throughout his career, while expressing optimism about the future and the continued development of Nigeria’s financial services industry.