Nigeria’s top financial authorities made a strategic push to attract global investment by showcasing the country’s reform-driven economic trajectory at a high-profile forum held at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York on Thursday April 17, 2025.
The event was a collaborative effort between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), JPMorgan, and the African Private Capital Association (AVCA). It brought together key players from the Nigerian diaspora, global institutional investors, and international corporate leaders for an in-depth conversation about Nigeria’s evolving financial landscape and its readiness to absorb global capital in pursuit of sustainable development.
Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso took part in a fireside discussion with Nobel laureate and economist Dr. James Robinson. During the session, Cardoso laid out the CBN’s approach to monetary policy, economic stability, and financial market reforms. He reaffirmed the apex bank’s dedication to transparent, disciplined policy-making aimed at restoring investor confidence and ensuring a more predictable market environment. “We inherited a crisis of confidence, but we chose a different path. We’re not turning back,” Cardoso stated, receiving applause from an audience comprising policymakers, economists, and private sector leaders.
Cardoso further underlined the importance of synergy between regulatory institutions like the CBN, market operators such as NGX Group, and the Nigerian diaspora, emphasising their collective role in building a robust financial architecture and attracting long-term investment.
The gathering also featured a detailed presentation by Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, Deputy Governor for Economic Policy at the CBN, who elaborated on the country’s financial sector reforms and recent foreign exchange policy adjustments. A panel session titled “Repricing Nigeria: Assessing the Scope for Sustained Change” included high-level participants from JPMorgan Chase, Standard Chartered, Citi, and Jadara Capital Partners.
Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, moderated the panel and highlighted how Nigeria’s economic reforms are reshaping investor sentiment. “Today’s dialogue marks a pivotal step in reshaping global perceptions of Nigeria’s investment story,” said Popoola. “The candid engagement between policymakers, market operators, and investors reflects the real progress Nigeria is making. NGX Group remains committed to supporting reforms that strengthen market structures, drive innovation, and accelerate economic growth.”
Despite the optimism expressed by attendees, investors stressed the importance of consistency in foreign exchange policy, the need to reduce transaction costs and regulatory complexities, and the urgency of reforming non-oil revenue generation. They also pointed to the need for more clarity in fiscal and monetary communication and improvements in the overall business environment.
The event concluded on a positive note, with participants expressing renewed confidence in Nigeria’s reform agenda and the country’s prospects for deeper integration into global capital markets—so long as the current momentum is maintained.