Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, has urged Nigerians, particularly the youth, to reconsider leaving the country, stressing that the apex bank is working towards building an economy where everyone and every business can succeed.

He made this appeal during his keynote address at the 59th annual Bankers Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos.

Cardoso highlighted two reasons why leaving Nigeria, or “japa,” is not a good idea at this time. First, he warned that those who choose to leave may be forced to sell off their assets at a loss, which could attract opportunistic buyers who would take advantage of the situation. Secondly, he encouraged Nigerians to be part of the solution, emphasizing that now is the time for collective effort to drive positive change.

The CBN Governor also pointed out the abundant opportunities currently available in Nigeria, noting that significant interest in the country has been growing over the past year, and particularly in recent months. While acknowledging the challenges posed by recent reforms, he reassured that these changes were designed to address current issues and secure future opportunities for a thriving economy.