CBN Governor Hosts WTO Chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for High-Level Trade Talks in Abuja

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, received the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the CBN headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, August 14, 2025. The meeting formed part of the WTO chief’s official working visit to Nigeria and focused on strengthening the country’s trade positioning in the global economy.

In a post shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the CBN shared images and brief updates from the engagement, titled “Discussing Trade Matters.” The post highlighted the participation of key stakeholders, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who joined the closed-door session alongside Nigeria’s Ambassador to the WTO, Dr. Adamu Abdulhamid.

The high-level meeting, which was held behind closed doors, centred on trade-related policies and Nigeria’s role in international commerce. While no detailed outcomes of the talks were immediately disclosed, it was gathered that discussions were aimed at fostering deeper cooperation between Nigeria and global trade institutions, especially in light of recent economic reforms.

The presence of senior government and trade officials underscored the importance of the meeting in shaping Nigeria’s trade strategy amid shifting global economic dynamics. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s visit is seen as a timely opportunity to explore how Nigeria can better leverage its economic potential through more robust participation in international trade.

As of now, neither the Central Bank nor the Ministry of Trade has released an official statement detailing the resolutions or action points agreed upon during the meeting. However, insiders suggest that the visit marks a renewed commitment by Nigeria to align its trade policies with global best practices under the guidance of the WTO.