In a compelling dialogue aimed at deepening Nigeria’s economic trajectory, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, on Friday reaffirmed the apex bank’s unwavering commitment to implementing transparent and consistent monetary reforms, designed to rebuild public trust and reposition the nation’s economy on a sound footing.
The engagement, which took place in the United States, featured a high-level fireside chat with world-acclaimed economist and Nobel Prize laureate, Dr. James Robinson, the Reverend Richard L. Pearson Professor at the University of Chicago and Director of the Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts. The conversation was one of intellect and strategy, shedding light on Nigeria’s monetary policy direction under the current CBN leadership.
According to an official statement released via the bank’s verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, the session served as a platform for Cardoso to articulate the bank’s reform-driven agenda, anchored on orthodox policy tools, fiscal discipline, and institutional transparency.
“We inherited a crisis of confidence, but we chose a different path. We’re not turning back,” Cardoso declared to a captivated audience comprising economists, financial professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders from both the Nigerian and international communities. His remarks drew applause and further emphasized the CBN’s resolve to restore credibility within the financial system.
The well-attended event was opened by Tal Cohen, President of Nasdaq, and featured a strong contingent of Nigerian professionals and global financial figures. It also highlighted the CBN’s ongoing efforts to engage with Nigeria’s diaspora community and leverage their expertise for national development.
Anchoring the event was Dr. Nkiru Balonwu, Special Adviser on Stakeholder Engagement to the CBN Governor, who steered the conversation with poise and insight. The interactive session that followed was moderated by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Mr. Temi Popoola, allowing for robust exchanges on policy direction and economic recovery.
In closing, Dr. Olubukola Akinniyi Akinwunmi, who heads the CBN’s Banking Supervision Department, commended the dialogue’s relevance to the apex bank’s renewed commitment to operational clarity and stability in the financial sector.
Notably, the event was also attended by members of the CBN Board and the Monetary Policy Committee, including Mr. Robert Agbede, Professor Melvin Ayogu, and Dr. Aloysius Ordu, whose presence further reflected the bank’s growing partnership with global Nigerian talents and its intention to forge strategic alliances that can catalyse long-term economic progress.
This latest engagement marks a significant step in the CBN’s ongoing journey to reposition Nigeria’s monetary landscape through informed dialogue, inclusive policy formulation, and proactive international collaboration.
