Nigeria’s Central Bank (CBN), under Governor Olayemi Cardoso, is embarking on a strategic transformation of its financial regulatory landscape, integrating a balanced, risk-based approach to cryptocurrency and stablecoin regulation while embedding artificial intelligence (AI) across its supervisory systems. This pivotal announcement was made during the “In Conversation with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria” event hosted by the Wheeler Institute at London Business School. Supported by J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs, and moderated by Professor Hélène Rey, the session provided a platform to discuss Nigeria’s innovation agenda and its implications for monetary policy in emerging markets. Dr. Nkiru Balonwu highlighted this dialogue as a clear indication of a new era of openness at the CBN, noting that central banking globally is being redefined by technology and that Nigeria is eager to engage, learn, and lead through responsible innovation to strengthen credibility.

Governor Cardoso articulated the CBN's philosophy regarding digital assets, stating that while