CBN Governor Advocates for Intellectual Exchange with Harvard Scholars
By Patience Ikpeme
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso has spoken of the Bank’s dedication to promoting intellectual dialogue and policy-driven solutions.
He made this disclosure while welcoming a delegation of scholars from the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) to the CBN Headquarters in Abuja.
The delegation was on their Africa Trek, which also included stops in Ghana. The group consisted of 50 students from 19 countries, representing HKS, Harvard Business School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Stanford University.
Mr. Cardoso, an HKS alumnus and the first African elected to the global HKS Alumni Board of Directors, as well as a trustee of the Harvard Club of Nigeria and the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of Nigeria (HKSAAN), stressed the importance of exchanging ideas and forming partnerships to build trust and understanding within Nigeria’s financial system.
“As we reset the Bank, we are committed to being a hub for thought leadership. The exposure you gain from institutions like Harvard is invaluable, and we see this as an opportunity to build long-term alliances,” he said.
Regarding Nigeria’s economic situation, Mr. Cardoso acknowledged recent difficulties but pointed to progress in stabilizing the foreign exchange market and controlling inflation.
He also mentioned recent visits from executives at JP Morgan, Citi Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as signs of increased investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction.
“These are individuals who base their decisions on data and trends, not sentiment. Their interest reaffirms that we are on the right path,” he added.
Ms. Adaora Ndukwe, President of HKSAAN, and Ms. Sheffy Kolade, HKS Nigeria Trek Delegation Lead, expressed gratitude to the CBN for hosting the delegation. They acknowledged the Bank’s commitment to engaging with future policymakers and providing direct insights into Nigeria’s changing economic environment.
The Africa Trek initiative facilitates direct interactions between emerging global leaders and key policymakers across the continent. It provides a platform for discussions on governance, innovation, economic development, financial stability, and the role of central banking in national development.
This visit marked the first time an Africa Trek delegation has visited the Central Bank of Nigeria, highlighting the Bank’s focus on knowledge sharing and strategic partnerships.
