Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its partnership with the International Monetary Fund while paying tribute to the Fund’s outgoing Resident Representative, Christian Ebeke, for his contributions to the country’s economic reform efforts.
Speaking at a farewell dinner in Abuja, Minister of Finance Taiwo Oyedele described Ebeke as a trusted partner whose technical depth and constructive engagement helped strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and the IMF during a critical period of economic transition, noting that his tenure coincided with sweeping reforms aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and improving investor confidence. Oyedele said Ebeke made significant contributions to policy discussions on fiscal reform, domestic revenue mobilization and foreign exchange reform, distinguishing himself through humility and a willingness to listen to differing perspectives rather than prescribing solutions from a distance.
Director of International Economic Relations at the finance ministry, Stanley George, said Ebeke’s tenure would be remembered for its professionalism and steadfast support for Nigeria’s reform agenda, while Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso, in a goodwill message, said Ebeke’s time in Nigeria coincided with a defining period in the country’s economic reform journey during which the government and central bank implemented bold measures to restore macroeconomic stability and policy credibility.
