Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has made a passionate appeal to Nigerians, particularly the youth, urging them not to leave the country.

In a keynote address at the 59th annual Bankers Dinner hosted by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos, Cardoso highlighted the importance of staying and contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s economy.

Cardoso acknowledged the challenges facing the country but reassured citizens that the Central Bank was actively working to create an environment where both individuals and businesses could flourish.

He pointed out that leaving the country at this time could have detrimental effects, particularly for those who might choose to sell off their assets in the process.

“If you leave now, you’ll be selling your assets for a fraction of their value,” he explained.

“There are external forces looking for bargains who would take advantage of this situation, pocketing the profits and waiting for a time to sell it for a higher price.”

He further emphasized that now more than ever, Nigerians needed to stay and be part of the solution to the country’s problems.

“This is a critical time, and we need everyone’s efforts to help us turn things around,” he said.

“Leaving may seem like an easy solution, but it’s important to be part of the change and help shape the future of our nation.”

Despite the economic struggles Nigeria has faced, Cardoso remains optimistic about the country’s prospects.

He pointed to the growing interest in the Nigerian market, citing positive developments over the last year and particularly in the past six months.

“Opportunities are everywhere if we stay committed and invested in our nation’s future,” he remarked, adding that the reforms introduced by the Central Bank, although tough, were necessary to address the issues of today while securing better opportunities for tomorrow.