By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has received the Nigerian Economic Society’s (NES) Distinguished Organisation Award in recognition of its institutional reforms and contributions to Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability and economic development.

The award was presented at the 67th Annual Conference of the NES, held in Abuja from September 7 to 10, 2026.

Director of the Monetary Policy Department at the CBN, Dr. Victor Oboh, received the award on behalf of the Governor of the bank, Olayemi Cardoso.

The recognition comes amid a series of reforms undertaken by the apex bank across the monetary, foreign exchange and financial sectors over the past three years.

Among the measures highlighted were reforms to the foreign exchange market, the clearance of longstanding foreign exchange obligations, the cessation of Ways and Means financing to the federal government, the implementation of the Payment System Vision 2028, and the recapitalisation of the Nigerian banking industry, aimed at creating a stronger, more resilient, and globally competitive financial system.

According to the organisers, the reforms have improved key macroeconomic indicators, including easing inflationary pressures, strengthening external reserves, and greater stability in the foreign exchange market.

It also noted that the premium between the official and parallel foreign exchange markets had narrowed to less than two per cent, and that remittance and capital inflows, as well as investor confidence, had improved.

The CBN attributed the developments to ongoing policy measures to restore confidence in the economy and to strengthen the country’s monetary and financial system.

The NES recognition follows the CBN’s recent emergence as Global Central Bank of the Year, further bolstering international recognition of its reform programme and policy initiatives.

Speaking on the NES award, Cardoso described the recognition as an endorsement of the institution’s commitment to excellence, resilience and national development.

“The Distinguished Organisation Award is a testament to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s unwavering pursuit of excellence, institutional resilience, and commitment to national development,” the governor said.

He added that the award reinforced the bank’s commitment to macroeconomic stability, a stronger financial system and sustainable economic growth.

“As it continues to implement reforms and innovate to fulfil its mandate, the CBN remains firmly committed to building a stronger economy and a brighter future for Nigeria,” Cardoso said.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged APC leaders in Niger State to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration and help consolidate the gains recorded in the economy, security, infrastructure, education and human capital development.

Idris made the call in Abuja when he received the Chairmen of the All Progressive Congress (APC) of the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State, who paid him a solidarity visit.

“All of us must join hands with President Bola Tinubu so that he can consolidate on the gains that we have already achieved and put Nigeria on a sound economic footing.

The Minister said President Tinubu inherited a difficult economic and security situation when he assumed office in May 2023, noting that the country’s economic foundation was under severe pressure, while insecurity had significantly affected the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.

“It is very easy to forget where we were coming from, but today that situation has changed significantly. We now have the fiscal headroom to undertake the developmental projects that Nigerians are seeing across the country.”

Idris said the removal of the fuel subsidy had created additional resources for the Federal Government and subnational governments to invest in agriculture, roads, healthcare, education and youth development.

He noted that the administration’s reforms were also helping to restore investor confidence, pointing to the return of investors and improved capacity for foreign businesses operating in Nigeria to repatriate their earnings.

The Minister highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, noting that federal road construction was ongoing across states of the federation.

On security, Idris acknowledged that challenges remained but said the country was witnessing gradual progress towards the restoration of normalcy.

“Are we yet there? No. Do we still have challenges? Yes. But are we seeing a progressive journey towards the restoration of normalcy in this country? Yes.”

He also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that the programme had enabled more than one million young Nigerians to access tertiary education by easing the financial burden of tuition and upkeep.

According to the Minister, the Federal Government is also expanding opportunities in agriculture, the non-oil sector and solid minerals, while regional development commissions are being used to bring development closer to communities and enable them to address their specific needs.

Idris urged APC leaders to maintain unity and resolve internal disagreements through dialogue, stressing that the party must remain focused on strengthening the administration and sustaining its development agenda.

He said the progress recorded since 2023 provided a foundation for greater achievements, urging Nigerians to support the continuation and consolidation of the reforms.

“Any attempt to take us back to those times of uncertainty must be rejected by all Nigerians.”

Responding, the Chairman of the Chairmen of the APC 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State and Head of the delegation, Hon. Hashimu Izom, said the delegation came to congratulate the Minister, appreciate President Tinubu for his appointment and commend the Minister for his representation of Niger State at the Federal level.

He also praised the Minister for promoting unity in the state and supporting projects and initiatives benefiting Niger State. “We are proud of you, not because you are Mohammed Idris Malagi, but because you are a bona fide Nigerite who stands everywhere to defend Mr. President and represents Niger State even at the national level,” Izom said.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has highlighted seven priority sectors and investment opportunities to drive industrialisation and economic development in the state.

Otti made this known at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) “Meet the Governor Series” on Thursday in Lagos.

The event had the theme: “Repositioning Abia for Enterprise, Industrialisation and Sustainable Economic Growth”.

The governor listed the priority sectors as agribusiness and agro-processing, trade and markets, creative and digital economy, manufacturing and industrialisation.

Others are Small and Medium Enterprise growth and the informal sector, inclusive finance, and diaspora investment and innovation.

He said the sectors were designed to leverage Abia’s productive base while creating opportunities for domestic and international capital.

Otti, declaring Abia “open for business”, highlighted reforms in fiscal governance, infrastructure, human capital development and investment opportunities across key sectors.

According to him, the state’s 2026 budget of N1.016 trillion allocates 80 per cent to capital expenditure.

He said internally generated revenue, targeted at N223.4 billion, was expected to fund recurrent obligations.

Otti said the approach was designed to channel external and private capital toward infrastructure and other growth-generating assets.

He said the state had also recorded progress in fiscal transparency, ranking fourth in the BudgIT States Fiscal Transparency League in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Otti said infrastructure development remained central to the state’s strategy of opening up its economy to investors.

He said 414 roads had been completed across the state, while 82 others were ongoing.

The governor added that more than 10,000 solar-powered streetlights had been installed across Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia.

“Enterprise needs infrastructure: roads move goods, light creates safety, movement creates commerce. Abia is building the physical platform for investments,” he said.

Otti said the state’s investment opportunities had been structured across different segments of the value chain.

He said investors could participate at the plantation, processing, manufacturing or off-take levels.

“Under agribusiness and agro-processing, we have identified integrated livestock ranching and dairy, cashew and cocoa plantations, as well as rubber estates and processing.

“In manufacturing and industrialisation, there are opportunities in garment manufacturing, ceramics production and leather and tannery works.

“This is particularly as opportunities exist to scale Aba’s artisan base into formal, higher-volume production,” he said.

Otti also highlighted tourism and hospitality opportunities around Enyimba Hotels, Aba; Umuahia Recreational Park; and Ibom Waterfall.

According to him, opportunities in power, transport and logistics include utilities operation and maintenance and the Azumiri Seaport.

He described the seaport as a potential trade and logistics gateway.

Otti further highlighted the Abia industrial innovation park and economic zone as opportunities for serviced enterprise, industrial and commercial development.

In healthcare, he identified the proposed Abia medical city, specialist hospital and diagnostic centre as opportunities for investment.

He said the projects would support integrated medical and wellness infrastructure in the state.

The governor stressed that investments in education and healthcare were also ongoing because of the workforce required to sustain economic growth.

The NBCC President, Abimbola Olashore, said Abia’s entrepreneurial spirit and Aba’s position as a centre for trade, manufacturing and indigenous enterprise provided a strong foundation for development.

Olashore said the opportunity was to build on these strengths and create an environment where businesses could scale and industries thrive.

He said entrepreneurs also needed an environment that would enable them to formalise and grow.

Olashore stressed that the business community’s ambition must be supported by confidence.

“Investors and businesses require clear and predictable policies, responsive institutions, quality infrastructure, security, access to markets and opportunities for meaningful partnership.

“This is why the relationship between government and the private sector is so important.

“Government creates the enabling environment; the private sector brings capital, innovation, expertise and enterprise. Together, they can create sustainable economic value,” he said.

Olashore reiterated NBCC’s commitment to serving as a bridge between business, government and opportunity.

He said meaningful dialogue must lead to meaningful action following a shared vision for growth and prosperity. (NAN)