Cardoso Dedicates Central Bank of the Year Award to CBN Staff, Reform Agenda
Oru Leonard
LONDON – Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has formally received the prestigious Central Bank of the Year Award, dedicating the honour to the Board, management, and staff of the apex bank for their commitment to institutional reforms and economic stability.
Cardoso received the award at the Central Banking Awards ceremony in London on Wednesday, where he described the recognition as a collective achievement rather than a personal accolade.
In his acceptance speech, the CBN governor thanked Central Banking Publications and the award judges for the recognition, while also congratulating other institutions and individuals honoured at the event.
He said the award belonged to the many professionals within the Central Bank whose dedication, integrity, and expertise have strengthened the institution and helped restore confidence in Nigeria’s economy.
“I accept this award on behalf of the Board, Management and staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Above all, it belongs to the many dedicated professionals who serve our institution with integrity, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the public good,” Cardoso said.
Reflecting on the global economic environment, Cardoso noted that central banks worldwide had faced significant challenges in recent years, with Nigeria confronting its own economic pressures and policy tests.
He highlighted a number of reforms undertaken by the CBN, including measures to tackle inflation, reforms in the foreign exchange market, and investments in digital and financial infrastructure aimed at supporting long-term economic growth.
The governor also cited key achievements recorded under the reform programme, including Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list and the successful completion of the banking sector recapitalisation exercise, describing them as outcomes of collaboration among various institutions and stakeholders.
According to him, the Bank’s reform agenda has focused on restoring confidence, strengthening institutional resilience and policy credibility, and creating a foundation for sustainable economic growth.
While acknowledging that challenges remain, Cardoso expressed optimism about the progress made so far and the growing confidence in the Nigerian economy.
He attributed the achievements to the support of the Federal Government, development partners, market participants, and the resilience of Nigerians.“We receive this recognition with humility. We see it not as a destination, but as encouragement to continue the important work ahead,” he stated.
Cardoso reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to safeguarding financial and monetary stability, preserving public confidence, and discharging its mandate with integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
The award represents a significant international endorsement of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s reform efforts at a time when monetary and financial sector reforms remain central to the country’s economic recovery and long-term growth agenda.
