Writing By Khadijah Aliyu; Editing By Godwin Duru
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reiterated its commitment to stimulating productivity, deepening financial inclusion, and ensuring monetary and price stability as part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s economy.
The CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, made the pledge while declaring open the 2025 CBN Fair held in Kano.
Represented by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hajiya Hakama Sidi Ali, Mr. Cardozo noted that the fair was designed as a platform for direct engagement with the public on the bank’s policies for sustainable economic growth and national development.
Highlighting some of the apex bank’s recent policy interventions, Hakama explained that the CBN had spearheaded initiatives such as exchange rate unification, bank recapitalisation, and the launch of the non-resident Bank Verification Number (BVN).
Others are the unveiling of the Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028, and the introduction of the Unified Complaints Tracking System (UCTS).
She noted that, the efforts have already started yielding positive results, including an increase in foreign investment inflows, improved trade balances, and remarkable progress in financial inclusion.
The acting director further stressed that the core objective of the fair was to sensitize Nigerians on how the bank’s policies impact their lives, enhance livelihoods, and contribute to overall economic growth.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Acting Branch Controller of CBN Kano, Hajiya Saudatu Muhammad, emphasized that the fair provides a unique opportunity for members of the public to interact directly with the CBN.
She described the theme of this year’s fair as timely, urging participants to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen financial institutions and contribute to the development of the Nigerian economy.
The event featured paper presentations on PSPD, OFISD, FMD, CPFID, and COBMD, followed by a question-and-answer session aimed at enlightening the public on specific policies of the apex bank.
The 2025 edition of the fair, themed “Driving Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Financial Inclusion, Growth and Accelerated Economic Development,” witnessed large turn of participants, including representatives from the Association of Mobile Money Operators (AMON), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
Others are the academia, the Nigerian Army, commercial banks, business community, NYSC , the media, and other relevant stakeholders in the financial sector.
COV/Khadijah Aliyu
