Nigeria’s Central Bank Chief Receives Prestigious Global Award in London, Dedicates Honour to Institution’s Reform Efforts
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardoso, has formally received the Central Bank of the Year Award at the Central Banking Awards ceremony in London, dedicating the honour to the institution’s board, management, and staff whose steadfast commitment to reform and economic stability he said made the recognition possible.
Cardoso accepted the award on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, at the prestigious ceremony organised by Central Banking Publications, one of the foremost authorities on global monetary policy and financial regulation.
In his acceptance speech, he offered congratulations to fellow institutions and individuals honoured on the night whilst making clear that the accolade belonged not to him personally, but to the collective workforce of Nigeria’s apex bank.
“I accept this award on behalf of the Board, Management and staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria,” he told the gathering. “Above all, it belongs to the many dedicated professionals who serve our institution with integrity, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the public good.”
The CBN Governor paid particular tribute to those professionals whose contributions, he noted, are often exercised away from public attention yet have been instrumental in strengthening the Bank and reinforcing confidence in Nigeria’s broader economy.
Reflecting on the global economic climate, Cardoso acknowledged that recent years had confronted central banks worldwide with formidable challenges, and that Nigeria had been no exception.
He outlined several difficult but necessary measures undertaken by the CBN during the period, including efforts to rein in elevated inflation, carry out far-reaching reforms in the foreign exchange market, and invest in digital and financial infrastructure vital to the country’s long-term development.
Among the milestones he highlighted was Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list — a significant boost to the country’s international financial standing — as well as the successful completion of the banking sector recapitalisation exercise.
Cardoso was careful to attribute these achievements to the collaborative efforts of multiple institutions and stakeholders rather than to the CBN alone.
The Governor described the Bank’s overarching reform agenda as driven by a clear and consistent objective: restoring confidence, strengthening institutional resilience and policy credibility, and laying a durable foundation for sustainable economic growth.
Whilst acknowledging that considerable work remains ahead, he expressed cautious optimism about the momentum building across the economy.
Cardoso credited the gains made so far to the support of the Federal Government, market participants, and development partners, reserving particular acknowledgement for the resilience and confidence of ordinary Nigerians.
“We receive this recognition with humility,” he said. “We see it not as a destination, but as encouragement to continue the important work ahead.”
The Governor reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to preserving public confidence, safeguarding financial and monetary stability, and fulfilling its mandate with integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
The award represents a significant moment of international recognition for Nigeria at a time when monetary and financial sector reforms remain central to the country’s economic recovery and long-term growth prospects.
