WTO Chief Okonjo-Iweala Meets CBN Governor Cardoso on Strengthening Nigeria’s Global Trade Position

Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Thursday, August 14, 2025, met with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, at the Bank’s headquarters in Abuja for high-level discussions on Nigeria’s role in global trade.

The meeting, held behind closed doors, was also attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the country’s Ambassador to the WTO, Amb. (Dr.) Adamu Abdulhamid.

In a post on its official X page titled “Discussing Trade Matters”, the CBN confirmed that the visit focused on advancing Nigeria’s engagement with international markets and aligning domestic policies with global trade standards. Although specific resolutions were not disclosed, the gathering underscores ongoing collaboration between Nigeria’s financial and trade policymakers and the WTO to improve market access, boost exports, and address structural barriers affecting trade competitiveness.

The presence of key trade and economic stakeholders at the meeting highlights Nigeria’s efforts to attract investment, enhance policy coordination, and strengthen its position within the multilateral trading system amid shifting global economic dynamics.