Amanze Chinonye
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has called on Nigerian youth to prepare themselves as transformative leaders of the nation’s future, stressing the importance of credibility, innovation, and inclusiveness in monetary policy and governance.
Cardoso made this appeal on Friday at the Lagos Business School during the maiden edition of the CBN Governor’s Lecture, held under the Bank’s Knowledge Acceleration and Thought Leadership Initiative.
The lecture, titled “Next Generation Leadership in Monetary Policy and Nation Building,” brought together students, academics, policymakers, and business leaders for an interactive engagement with the apex bank.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelExplaining why next-generation leadership matters for monetary policy, the CBN Governor said:
“Monetary policy is not just about interest rates or inflation targets. It is about trust, stability, and the collective confidence of millions of economic actors who make decisions every day.”
He emphasized that strong institutions and resilient economies depend on leaders who can set a vision, make tough choices, and build credibility. “For central banking, leadership means being disciplined enough to protect price stability, agile enough to adapt to shocks, and forward-looking enough to anticipate change,” he added.
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Cardoso highlighted the digital transformation of finance as one of the defining challenges of the time, pointing to the CBN’s regulatory sandbox and digital payment frameworks as tools to prepare Nigeria for a technology-driven financial future.
Addressing the youth directly, he noted that today’s students would become tomorrow’s ministers, innovators, and central bankers, urging them not only to inherit leadership but to transform it.
“You are the most mobile-first, connected, and creative generation the world has ever seen,” Cardoso said. “The genius of this moment is that it is both testing and inspiring.”
The CBN Governor acknowledged the global risks shaping today’s economy from digital currencies to artificial intelligence, climate change, and geopolitical conflicts while stressing that disruption often creates conditions for transformative breakthroughs.
“The journey ahead demands credibility emanating from discipline, because credibility once lost is hard to regain; innovation, because tomorrow’s problems cannot be solved with yesterday’s tools; and inclusiveness, because policy means little if it does not improve the lives of ordinary people,” he declared.
Cardoso pledged that the CBN, under his leadership, would continue to strengthen transparency, trust, and price stability while ensuring that growth is inclusive in a country as young and dynamic as Nigeria.
“The Bank will build an institution that Nigerians can trust one that is disciplined, innovative, and steadfast in its commitment to Nigeria’s future,” he said.
The Governor concluded by reminding participants that Nigeria’s reputation is one of its most valuable assets: “When trust grows, opportunities multiply. Criticism has its place, but rebuilding Nigeria demands confidence, credibility, and constructive leadership.”
The Governor’s Lecture Series is a new initiative of the CBN, introduced as part of its Knowledge Acceleration and Thought Leadership Initiative.
It is designed as a platform for dialogue between the apex bank and stakeholders particularly students and young professionals to demystify monetary policy, strengthen public understanding of central banking, and promote innovation-driven nation building.
The maiden edition, which coincided with the second anniversary of Cardoso’s leadership at the CBN, comes against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by the Bank to rebuild public trust and restore macroeconomic stability after years of policy turbulence.
Since assuming office in September 2023, Cardoso has tightened monetary policy, reformed the foreign exchange market, and pushed for greater transparency in CBN operations.
By opening direct channels of engagement with the youth, the CBN aims to embed a culture of trust, accountability, and innovation in Nigeria’s financial future ensuring that the next generation is not only prepared to lead but also empowered to transform leadership itself.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
