Preparatory to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) Spring meetings commenced today in Washington-D.C, United States, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) partnered with J.P. Morgan, the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and Africa Private Capital Association (AVCA) to host a high-profile global forum at Nasdaq MarketSite last Thursday, in New York City
The forum, titled “The Nigeria Investment Agenda: Pathways for Growth & Global Partnerships,” convened global investors, diaspora leaders, and senior financial stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s macroeconomic prospects and ongoing reform progress.
During his commanding address, the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, outlined his comprehensive reform strategy encompassing monetary tightening, foreign exchange market transparency, and enhanced financial governance, stressing that these initiatives are establishing the foundation for sustainable macroeconomic stability and heralding a new era of transparency and confidence.
Cardoso reaffirmed the CBN’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding credibility through orthodox monetary policy, transparency, and consistency.
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He maintained: “We inherited a crisis of confidence but chose a different path. We’re not turning back.”
In a powerful chat between the Governor and Nobel Prize-winning economist Dr. James Robinson, Reverend Richard L. Pearson Professor at the University of Chicago, Cardoso elaborated on his vision to reestablish the CBN as a credible, trusted institution – rooted in domestic excellence and respected internationally.
The apex bank’s Deputy Governor for Economic Policy, Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, delivered a macroeconomic update highlighting sharp increases in foreign exchange turnover, emerging signs of disinflation, and strengthening external reserves.
He said: “With a market-determined exchange rate and a transparent, rules-based policy framework, confidence is gradually being restored in Nigeria’s economy.”.
Welcoming participants to the forum, the Adviser to the CBN Governor on Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Communication Dr. Nkiru Balonwu, framed the forum as a key moment in the Bank’s broader engagement strategy.
She clarified: “Today is more than a conversation. It’s about opening the books on the CBN’s transformation story under Governor Cardoso – sharing the facts, interrogating the progress, and looking ahead together at what more can be done to build sustainable partnerships and unlock long-term capital.”
Another key highlight of the event was the panel discussion entitled “Repricing Nigeria: Assessing the Scope for Sustained Change.” Moderated by Founder of New Markets Media & Intelligence, Gavin Serkin, the panel featured global financial luminaries: Joyce Chang, Chair of Global Research at JPMorgan Chase; Jason Rekate, Global Co-Head of Corporate Banking at Citi; Razia Khan, Chief Economist for Africa & Middle East at Standard Chartered; and Ahmad Zuaiter, Co-Founder & CIO of Jadara Capital Partners. Each panelist provided expert perspectives on Nigeria’s investment landscape, noting renewed international interest driven by improved fundamentals, strengthened governance, and clearer policy direction.
The CBN Board and Monetary Policy Committee were represented by US-based diaspora members, namely Mr. Robert Agbede, Prof. Melvin Ayogu, and Dr. Aloysius Ordu, underscoring the Bank’s global engagement and commitment to leveraging Nigerian talent worldwide.
Group CEO of NGX, Temi Popoola, moderated the Q&A session, while the apex bank Director of Banking Supervision, Dr. Olubukola Akinwunmi, gave the closing remarks.
The forum focused on substantive discussions and future prospects: engaging critical voices, evaluating progress, and identifying requirements for building lasting partnerships and attracting long-term capital. Central to this endeavor is a clear objective: reestablishing the CBN as a credible, trusted institution respected globally and dedicated to excellence at home.
