The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, has been appointed to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington D.C., following the temporary indisposition of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.
A statement released by the Presidency on Saturday, October 12, and signed by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed Cardoso’s new responsibility. The statement noted that the decision was taken to ensure Nigeria’s active participation at the high-level meetings, which are expected to shape major global financial and economic policies.
The delegation will also include the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, alongside senior government officials and representatives from the CBN and the Ministry of Finance. According to the statement, the meetings, which begin Sunday, October 13, will run through the week and feature key discussions on international development, global economic stability, debt management, and sustainable growth.
The World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings serve as a major platform for global financial leaders, policymakers, and development experts to review the world’s economic outlook and coordinate efforts toward addressing emerging challenges. The 2025 edition will include major events such as the Development Committee Plenary Session scheduled for October 16, and the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) Meeting on October 17.
Other activities during the summit include regional briefings, press conferences, and thematic fora focused on macroeconomic trends, climate finance, digital transformation, and the evolving role of central banks in managing inflation and exchange rate pressures.
Analysts say Cardoso’s participation in these meetings is crucial given Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to stabilise the naira, curb inflation, and attract foreign investment. Since assuming office as CBN Governor, Cardoso has spearheaded several reforms aimed at strengthening monetary policy transparency and restoring investor confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.
His leadership at the global forum is expected to position Nigeria for productive engagements with multilateral partners, particularly in areas related to foreign exchange reform, debt sustainability, and fiscal policy coordination.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed Abuja on Saturday for Rome, Italy, to attend the Aqaba Process Summit, a high-level meeting focused on addressing security challenges in West Africa. The summit, co-chaired by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Italian government, brings together world leaders and regional stakeholders to tackle terrorism, organised crime, and instability across the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea regions.
The temporary handover of Nigeria’s financial representation to Cardoso highlights the close coordination between the CBN and the Ministry of Finance under Tinubu’s administration. The government has reassured Nigerians that Mr. Edun’s health condition is being carefully managed and that his temporary absence will not disrupt ongoing economic reforms.
The meetings in Washington are expected to provide fresh insights into how developing economies like Nigeria can navigate rising global debt, energy transitions, and the challenges of achieving inclusive growth.
As Nigeria’s top financial technocrat, Cardoso’s presence at the IMF World Bank Annual Meetings reaffirms the country’s commitment to active engagement in shaping global economic dialogue and securing stronger support for its domestic recovery agenda.
