World Bank chief: Nigeria now global reference for steady, credible reform leadership

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By KEMI KAYODE

A World Bank chief, Anna Bjerde, said Nigeria is now frequently cited globally as an example of steady, credible reform leadership.

Bjerde, the bank’s Managing Director of Operations, made the remark at a meeting on Tuesday with President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House, Abuja. Some other bank officials accompanied Bjerde to the meeting.

The World Bank Managing Director commended Nigeria’s reform progress over the past two years, particularly the government’s consistent resolve to stay the course despite challenges.

This consistency and the clear evidence of positive results, she said, have built strong confidence among investors, policymakers, and the private sector.

The Bank chief highlighted the forthcoming Country Partnership Framework as being firmly anchored in Nigeria’s own development vision, particularly the goal of achieving a $1 trillion GDP and 7% growth.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the ongoing economic reforms, acknowledging that though the process has been challenging, “there will be no turning back.”

The President stressed that while the subsidy removal and the unification of exchange rates initially triggered inflation, it has since reduced significantly, and the naira has stabilised, improving investor confidence and ease of doing business.