By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria has unveiled a pipeline of 65 investment-ready projects worth about $78.5 billion and called for a fairer global financial system to help developing countries achieve faster, job-creating growth. 
The Federal Government disclosed this at the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group in Bangkok, Thailand, where Nigeria presented the outcomes of its economic reforms and sought increased international investment.
The Nigerian delegation was led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso.
According to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance on Saturday, the delegation highlighted economic indicators, including growth of about 4.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, four consecutive months of declining inflation, foreign reserves above $55 billion, a tax-to-GDP ratio of 12.5 per cent and public debt at 36 per cent of GDP.
A major outcome of the meetings was the launch of “Projects Nigeria”, featuring 65 bankable projects valued at approximately $78.5 billion. The initiative has attracted expressions of interest from investors in Asia and Europe.
Nigeria also secured World Bank Group support for power and infrastructure through guarantee instruments, while the IMF is expected to continue providing technical assistance in fiscal governance, transparency and statistics.
The meetings further produced commitments from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the United States Treasury and the European Union to deepen cooperation with Nigeria.
The Federal Government said Nigeria also concluded its chairmanship of the Group of 24 (G-24), during which it advanced calls for a quota-based IMF system, fairer credit ratings and lower financing costs for developing countries.
Speaking at the meetings, Oyedele warned that economic growth could fail to deliver meaningful benefits if it did not create enough jobs, particularly as artificial intelligence transforms the global economy.
He noted that about 1.2 billion young people are expected to enter the global labour market over the next 10 to 15 years, while the World Bank estimates that only about 400 million jobs would be available.
The minister urged the Bretton Woods institutions to place employment creation at the centre of their assessment of economic performance.
“Stability was the first test. Growth that employs our people is the second,” the Minister said.
Oyedele also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position against returning to fuel subsidies or multiple exchange rates, signalling its commitment to maintaining the direction of ongoing economic reforms.
Nigeria’s participation in the meetings focused on attracting investment, strengthening international partnerships and securing better financing conditions to support infrastructure development and economic growth.
The government said the engagements were aimed at translating the gains from economic stabilisation into investment, expanded opportunities and jobs for Nigerians.
