The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has affirmed that the recent visits by top executives from JP Morgan, Citi Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were indicators of growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic trajectory.
“These are individuals who base their decisions on data and trends, not sentiment. Their interest reaffirms that we are on the right path,” he added.
Cardoso stated this while hosting a delegation of scholars from the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) as part of their Africa Trek, which included visits to Ghana and Nigeria.
He informed the delegation of the ongoing efforts by the apex bank in stabilizing the foreign exchange market and curbing inflation.
CBN, in a statement on Tuesday said, the scholars’ visit to its headquarters in Abuja brought together 50 students from 19 countries, including representatives from the HKS, Harvard Business School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Stanford University.
It said as an HKS alumnus and the first African elected to the global HKS Alumni Board of Directors, as well as a trustee of both the Harvard Club of Nigeria and the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of Nigeria (HKSAAN), Mr. Cardoso emphasized the value of exchanging ideas and fostering partnerships to strengthen trust and understanding in Nigeria’s financial system.
“As we reset the Bank, we are committed to being a hub for thought leadership. The exposure you gain from institutions like Harvard is invaluable, and we see this as an opportunity to build long-term alliances,” he stated.
In their remarks, Ms. Adaora Ndukwe, President of HKSAAN, and Ms. Sheffy Kolade, HKS Nigeria Trek Delegation Lead, expressed appreciation to the CBN for hosting the delegation. They commended the Bank’s commitment to engaging with future policymakers and providing invaluable first-hand insights into Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape.
The Africa Trek initiative fosters direct interactions between emerging global leaders and key policymakers across the continent. Through engagements with visionary leaders, it provides a platform for in-depth discussions on governance, innovation, economic development, financial stability, and the role of central banking in national development. This visit marked the first time any Africa Trek delegation has visited the Central Bank of Nigeria, further reinforcing the Bank’s dedication to knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships.
