CBN, NGX showcase Nigeria’s reform-driven growth story at Nasdaq, New York

Nigeria’s Central Bank (CBN) and Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) have led a high-profile delegation to the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York on April 17, 2025, in a bold move to attract international investment and bolster global economic confidence.

Co-hosted with JPMorgan and the African Private Capital Association (AVCA), the investment forum was attended by global investors, Nigerian diaspora leaders, and top corporate executives to discuss Nigeria’s economic prospects and ongoing reforms.

The event highlighted the country’s renewed focus on financial stability and transparency, with CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso outlining a clear monetary strategy during a side chat with Nobel laureate economist, Dr. James Robinson. 

Cardoso also acknowledged the “crisis of confidence” inherited by the current administration but firmly stated that the CBN has embraced a disciplined, market-driven approach.

“We’re not turning back,” he asserted, earning applause as he pledged to foster a stable, investor-friendly economy.

He stressed the importance of collaboration between regulators, financial institutions, and the diaspora to secure long-term investments and elevate Nigeria’s global appeal. 

CBN Deputy Governor, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, detailed Nigeria’s financial sector overhaul, emphasizing foreign exchange reforms, monetary tightening, and efforts to boost macroeconomic resilience. 

A panel titled: “Repricing Nigeria: Assessing the Scope for Sustained Change”—featuring executives from JPMorgan, Standard Chartered, Citi, and Jadara Capital Partners—evaluated Nigeria’s reform impact and the prerequisites for sustained foreign investment.

NGX Group CEO Temi Popoola, who moderated the discussion, noted Nigeria’s shifting global perception, calling the event a “pivotal step” in redefining its investment narrative. 

While attendees praised Nigeria’s reform progress, they underscored the need for consistent FX policies, lower regulatory costs, clearer non-oil revenue plans, and improved business conditions.

Despite these challenges, optimism prevailed, with stakeholders agreeing that Nigeria is poised for transformative growth—if reforms remain on track.

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