The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has reaffirmed the apex bank’s commitment to financial sector reforms and long-term capital inflows as he hosted a high-level delegation from British International Investment (BII) in Abuja.
Cardoso received the BII delegation, led by its Chair, Diana Layfield, alongside the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in what the CBN described as part of sustained efforts to strengthen macroeconomic stability and attract patient capital into Nigeria’s financial system.
At the meeting, the CBN governor said the bank remains focused on credible monetary policy, transparent regulation and data-driven supervision to deepen financial intermediation and enhance the resilience of the banking sector.
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He noted that development finance institutions (DFIs) with long-term investment horizons and strong governance standards are critical partners in Nigeria’s ongoing reform agenda, particularly in stabilising the financial system, expanding financial inclusion and supporting private-sector-led growth.
Discussions during the engagement centred on recent developments in Nigeria’s financial services sector, BII’s investment outlook, and opportunities to deploy long-term capital to support banking sector stability and sustainable economic growth.
Layfield reaffirmed BII’s continued interest in Nigeria, describing the country’s financial services sector as a key investment destination. She stressed the importance of regulatory clarity and consistent engagement with policymakers to unlock investment and drive inclusive growth.
The meeting was attended by senior BII officials, including its Chief Executive Officer, Leslie Maarsdorp; Non-Executive Directors Andrew Alli and Simon Rowlands; Managing Director and Head of Africa, Chris Chijiutomi; and West Africa Regional Director and Head of the Nigeria Office, Benson Adenuga. Senior officials of the British High Commission were also present.
