In a bold demonstration of Nigeria’s renewed commitment to macroeconomic stability, regulatory reform, and international investment engagement, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently hosted a landmark global investment forum in partnership with J.P. Morgan and the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). Held at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York City ahead of the 2025 IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, the event spotlighted Nigeria’s strategic pivot toward financial credibility and sustainable growth.

Themed “The Nigeria Investment Agenda: Pathways for Growth & Global Partnerships,” the forum served as a critical platform to showcase Nigeria’s reform-driven policies aimed at revitalizing the economy, fostering compliance transparency, and reasserting the country’s position in the global financial system.

Leading the conversation was CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, who presented a compelling overview of the central bank’s 18-month regulatory roadmap, including the liberalization of the FX market, monetary policy tightening, and increased regulatory transparency—all designed to restore investor trust and reposition Nigeria as a secure destination for global capital.

The forum also underscored Nigeria’s evolving narrative: one of compliance management, reform resilience, and renewed confidence. The move to host this dialogue at Nasdaq—a global hub for finance—signaled Nigeria’s intent to align with international regulatory frameworks, while actively promoting Regulatory Technology (RegTech) solutions to attract and retain capital flows.

Deputy Governor Muhammad Sani Abdullahi reinforced this position, citing improvements in FX market turnover, early signs of disinflation, and strengthening foreign reserves. With the shift toward a market-driven exchange rate system, Nigeria is increasingly being seen as a jurisdiction committed to governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) best practices.

During a high-level panel titled “Repricing Nigeria: Assessing the Scope for Sustained Change,” finance experts including Joyce Chang (J.P. Morgan), Jason Rekate (Citi), Razia Khan (Standard Chartered), and Ahmad Zuaiter (Jadara Capital Partners) discussed Nigeria’s evolving investment landscape. Their consensus: if Nigeria maintains policy consistency and regulatory enforcement, it stands poised to unlock a new wave of long-term, strategic capital.

A key moment was the fireside chat between Governor Cardoso and world-renowned economist Dr. James Robinson, who explored the institutional and socio-political dimensions of Nigeria’s economic transformation. Cardoso’s remark, “We inherited a crisis of confidence, but we chose a different path. We’re not turning back,” captured the resolve behind Nigeria’s economic reorientation.

Nasdaq President Tal Cohen inaugurated the session, while Dr. Nkiru Balonwu anchored the discussions. The Q&A was led by Temi Popoola, CEO of NGX, and closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Olubukola Akinniyi Akinwunmi of the CBN, emphasizing the importance of continued global collaboration and regulatory compliance audits.

Notably, the presence of influential diaspora professionals—including Mr. Robert Agbede, Prof. Melvin Ayogu, and Dr. Aloysius Ordu—reinforced CBN’s strategy to leverage global Nigerian talent in shaping the country’s regulatory and economic resilience.

This forum represents more than a call for capital—it is a declaration of Nigeria’s readiness to lead in financial compliance, regulatory intelligence, and inclusive, investment-driven economic growth. For the CBN, it marks a strategic repositioning built on internal controls, regulatory policy alignment, and institutional credibility.

As Nigeria deepens reforms and enhances its compliance infrastructure, the convergence of domestic policy and international engagement—such as this forum—may very well be the catalyst for unlocking Nigeria’s untapped economic potential.