Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has described recent visits by top executives from JP Morgan, Citi Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as strong signals of growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic trajectory.
Cardoso highlighted progress in stabilizing the foreign exchange market, curbing inflation, and addressing key economic concerns despite existing challenges. He made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation of scholars from the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Africa Trek at the CBN headquarters in Abuja.
“Their interest shows that we are on the right path,” Cardoso stated, emphasizing that financial leaders make decisions based on data and economic trends rather than sentiment.
The Africa Trek delegation, which included 50 students from 19 countries, represented institutions such as HKS, Harvard Business School, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Stanford University. Their visit to Nigeria followed an earlier stop in Ghana as part of a broader initiative to engage with policymakers and economic stakeholders across Africa.
Cardoso, an HKS alumnus and the first African elected to the global HKS Alumni Board of Directors reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to fostering intellectual discourse and policy-driven solutions.
“As we reposition the Bank, we aim to serve as a hub for thought leadership. The exposure gained from institutions like Harvard is invaluable, and we view this as an opportunity to build long-term alliances,” he stated.
Ms. Adaora Ndukwe, President of the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of Nigeria (HKSAAN), and Ms. Sheffy Kolade, HKS Nigeria Trek Delegation Lead, expressed gratitude to the CBN for hosting the delegation. They commended the Bank’s willingness to engage with future policymakers and provide direct insights into Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape.