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Investors commend Nigeria’s financial sector reforms at London Africa Capital Forum
As President Bola Tinubu continues his state visit to the United Kingdom, potential investors have commended the reforms embarked upon by the federal government in the financial sector, describing the reforms as credible.
The investors expressed their view at the Africa Capital Forum that had the theme: “From Stabilisation to Capital Mobilisation,” jointly hosted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), at The Peninsula London,
Speaking at the high-level forum, which brought together global investors, development financiers, and fintech innovators for a strategic dialogue to deepen Nigeria’s financial resilience and investor confidence, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonny Baxter, said the United Kingdom remains one of Nigeria’s partners with links in banking and capital markets.
“The next phase of the reforms should be converting renewed investor interest into long-term sustainable investments,” Baxter said, adding that the UK will also support economic transformation to enhance the economic relationship between the two countries.
Also, the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Madame Odile Renaud-Basso, praised the potential of the Nigerian economy, noting that “we see all the potential in the economic stabilisation in Nigeria, the growth of the population, the appetite, the investment of new technologies, and the ability of the people to embrace the new technologies.”
The Head of West and Central Africa, UKEF, Steve Gray, in his contribution, noted that confidence is built through full fiscal transparency.
He said the reforms in Nigeria are providing transparency and building confidence, but added: “I want to see more reflection of the reality of Nigeria’s strengths so that more can be done to support Nigeria’s priorities,”
Similarly, the Managing Director (Policy Strategy and Delivery) of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Melis Ekmen Tabojer, said: “The recent reforms that Nigeria has had have had a huge impact in attracting investors.”
Mrs. Sanyade, Okoli, Special Adviser to the Tinubu on Finance and the Economy, who represented the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, at the event, said the federal government seeks to drive the right quality of growth, but noted that the government alone cannot fund this growth.
“We need to work with partners who will bring the sticky, equity capital,” she noted.
Key sessions of the forum featuring the CBN Deputy Governor, Muhammad Abdullahi (Economic Policy) and Mr. Philip Ikeazor (Financial System Stability), among other experts, examined repricing risks and the reopening of capital markets, Nigerian banks’ presence on the global stage, fintech and the future of remittances, highlighting the rise of digital platforms, as well as regulation, risk, and resilience.
The CBN Deputy Governor (Economic Policy), Muhammad Abdullahi, emphasised the level of stability achieved by the apex bank, noting that net and gross reserves are high, Nigeria’s foreign reserves are over $50 billion, the foreign exchange market has stabilised, while inflation is falling.
Also speaking, the apex bank’s Deputy Governor in charge of Financial System Stability, Mr Philip Ikeazor, said that all the reforms that have been put in place are such that they cut across stakeholders, ensuring that even at the end of the Tinubu administration, “people will see the need not to reverse these reforms.”
In their respective interventions, Segun Alebiosu (MD/CEO of First Bank); Oliver Alawuba (MD/CEO of the United Bank for Africa (UBA); Miriam Olusanya (MD/CEO of GTCO); Yemisi Edun (MD/CEO of First City Monument Bank); Roosevelt Ogbonna (MD/CEO of Access Bank); and Akin Oguranti, the Executive Director of Zenith Bank, who represented the banks, all commended the banking reforms in Nigeria, noting that the reforms have increased confidence in the economy and allow the banks to fund more projects locally.
Over the past two years, the Tinubu administration has undertaken significant monetary and structural reforms aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s macroeconomic environment.
Under the leadership of the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, inflation has dropped sharply from 34 percent to 15 percent, exchange rate volatility has eased, and foreign reserves have risen above US $50 billion.
Also, banking recapitalisation and foreign exchange market unification have further strengthened trust in policy consistency.
The forum assessed the impact of these reforms and highlighted new opportunities for long-term capital mobilisation and diaspora investment.
Framed around three pillars (Nigeria’s macroeconomic reset, strengthening the financial system, and mobilising global and diaspora capital), the Africa Capital Forum seeks to build stronger bridges between Nigeria, London, and the global financial community.
Two major gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, Mr Adebayo Adelabu and Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, have picked the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The duo picked the forms on Wednesday in Abuja.
Adelabu is the immediate past Minister of Power and hails from Ibadan.
Alli, on the other hand, currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District on the platform of the APC.
He is also an indigene of Ibadan, the state capital.
Recall that Adelabu’s Personal Assistant, Mr Ajiboye, picked up the form on behalf of his boss at the APC Secretariat in Abuja.
Alli, on his part, collected the form himself in Abuja.
Alli was accompanied by some members of the House of Representatives, among whom were Remi Oseni, Akeem Adeyemi, Olamiju Alao-Akala, and Akin Alabi.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has urged the government of South Africa to step up protection for Nigerians and other black immigrants following reports of renewed xenophobic violence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 29, NIDCOM Chairman/CEO Abike Dabiri-Erewa warned that the situation had worsened despite earlier diplomatic engagements between both countries.
According to the commission, recent reports suggest children of Nigerian descent are now afraid to attend school, while business owners are reluctant to open their shops for fear of looting, harassment and targeted attacks. Community leaders have also documented fresh incidents of violence and intimidation within the past 72 hours.
NIDCOM appealed to South African authorities to take “urgent and visible steps” to safeguard foreign nationals, citing obligations under international law and African Union protocols on free movement and human rights.
The commission rejected what it described as the profiling of Nigerians, stressing that crime should be treated as an individual matter. “Crime has no nationality,” the statement said, adding that offenders should be prosecuted under South African law rather than entire communities being stigmatised.
Among its demands, NIDCOM called for increased police patrols in areas where Nigerians live and work, swift arrests and prosecutions of perpetrators, and the creation of a joint Nigeria-South Africa community safety forum involving police, city officials and diaspora leaders.
The commission also urged South African authorities to issue clear public messages condemning xenophobia and stereotyping.
Nigerians living in South Africa were advised to remain law-abiding and avoid high-risk areas after dark. NIDCOM said it is in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the consulate in Johannesburg, and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
While condemning the attacks, the commission praised the majority of South Africans who continue to live peacefully with other Africans, expressing confidence in the longstanding ties between both nations and pledging continued diplomatic engagement to protect Nigerians abroad.
The Nigeria Police Force has ordered the dismissal and prosecution of officers involved in the fatal shooting of Mr. Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State, following the tragic incident that occurred on April 26, 2026.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directed the immediate withdrawal of all officers linked to the incident from the Delta State Command to Force Headquarters, Abuja, where they underwent accelerated disciplinary proceedings.
The statement revealed that the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC), after a thorough review, found that the principal officer, ASP Nuhu Usman, acted in gross violation of Force Order 237 and other established regulations guiding the use of firearms.
The committee described his actions as unlawful, unprofessional, and a serious betrayal of the oath sworn to protect lives and uphold the law.
Following the findings, the FDC recommended the immediate dismissal of ASP Nuhu Usman and other officers found culpable in the incident.
The Inspector-General of Police has since approved the recommendation and forwarded it to the Police Service Commission for ratification in line with due process.
The Force also confirmed that upon completion of the administrative procedures, the affected officers would be handed over to the appropriate judicial authorities for prosecution over their roles in the extrajudicial killing.
Reaffirming the Force’s stance, the IGP stated that the Nigeria Police Force maintains zero tolerance for extrajudicial actions and abuse of power, stressing that no officer has the right to take life outside the provisions of the law.
He emphasized that any officer found violating this principle would face the full weight of disciplinary and legal consequences.
The Inspector-General also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, Mr. Mene Ogidi, assuring them that the matter would not be treated lightly and that justice would be served transparently to restore public confidence.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, while assuring citizens of the Force’s commitment to professionalism, discipline, and the protection of the rights and dignity of all Nigerians.
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