The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has called on Nigerian fintech leaders to pair technological innovation with robust governance and consumer protection.
Speaking during a strategic session with fintech CEOs on the sidelines of the 2025 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, Cardoso said the integrity and trust of the financial system must be upheld as innovation continues to transform financial services.
“As we embrace new technology, it is our responsibility to uphold the integrity of the financial system — maintaining strong governance, consumer protection, and risk management so that trust in our institutions remains firm,” he said.
The session, themed “Shaping the Future of Fintech in Nigeria: Innovation, Inclusion, and Integrity,” brought together fintech founders, investors, regulators, and policy leaders to discuss strategies for balancing innovation with financial stability.
According to a statement on the CBN’s X handle, discussions focused on five priority areas: innovation and responsible growth; infrastructure and interoperability; legal and policy enablement; compliance and financial integrity; and market confidence with sustainable capital flows.
Stakeholders agreed that a balanced regulatory framework — one that supports innovation while safeguarding market stability — will be crucial to unlocking Nigeria’s fintech potential.
The forum ended with a joint commitment by the CBN and fintech leaders to maintain continuous engagement and align regulatory reforms with Nigeria’s broader financial innovation agenda.
In a separate meeting, Cardoso assured foreign investors that Nigeria remains committed to stabilizing its financial system and improving the investment climate. He noted that rising external reserves signal improved economic resilience, positioning Nigeria as one of Africa’s top destinations for long-term investment.
