The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has met with a senior delegation from British International Investment (BII) and the British High Commission in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s financial system and attracting sustainable foreign capital.
The high-level engagement, held on Wednesday in Abuja, featured the Chair of BII, Ms. Diana Layfield, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Montgomery, and top executives of the UK-backed development finance institution.
During the meeting, Cardoso reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to building a resilient and credible financial environment capable of supporting economic expansion and improving opportunities for businesses and citizens alike. He emphasized the Bank’s focus on curbing inflation, sustaining sound monetary policies, and maintaining a transparent regulatory framework that promotes confidence within the financial sector.
The CBN Governor also highlighted the importance of development finance institutions in Nigeria’s reform agenda, noting that their provision of long-term funding and emphasis on strong corporate governance are critical to economic stability. According to him, such institutions deliver “patient capital” that strengthens banks, broadens financial inclusion, and supports sustainable private-sector growth.
Ms. Layfield stated that BII remains strongly interested in Nigeria’s financial services industry and is eager to support initiatives that foster inclusive economic development. She stressed that a stable and predictable regulatory environment is essential for long-term investment decisions.
“Nigeria continues to be a priority market for us, with significant potential in financial services where long-term investment can promote stability, inclusion, and private-sector growth,” she said.
British High Commissioner Richard Montgomery also praised the ongoing collaboration between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, noting that robust financial systems are vital for expanding trade and investment relations between both nations.
The meeting was attended by several members of BII’s board and management, including Chief Executive Officer Mr. Leslie Maarsdorp, Non-Executive Directors Mr. Andrew Alli and Mr. Simon Rowlands, Managing Director and Head of Africa Mr. Chris Chijiutomi, and West Africa Regional Director and Nigeria Office Head Mr. Benson Adenuga. Senior officials from the British High Commission were also present.
British International Investment, wholly owned by the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, manages assets valued at approximately £9.9 billion and supports over 1,600 businesses across emerging markets, with a focus on long-term investment, job creation, and sustainable development.
According to the CBN, the engagement aligns with its broader strategy to advance financial sector reforms, reinforce the banking system, and create a more investor-friendly environment to support Nigeria’s economic growth.
