$78.5bn Investment Pipeline: Nigeria Urges IMF, World Bank to Prioritise Job Creation
Nigeria has urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group to make job creation a central measure of economic success as it presented a $78.5 billion investment pipeline at their 2026 Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.
The call came as the country sought to convert recent economic stability into faster growth, increased investment and employment opportunities.
The Nigerian delegation, led by Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Taiwo Oyedele and Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso, concluded its participation in the meetings on October 17, 2026.
During the engagements, Nigeria presented economic indicators that included growth of approximately 4.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, four consecutive months of falling inflation and foreign reserves above $55 billion.
The country also reported a tax-to-GDP ratio of 12.5 per cent and public debt equivalent to 36 per cent of GDP.
According to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Nigeria’s investment drive featured the launch of Projects Nigeria, a portfolio of 65 bankable projects valued at about $78.5 billion.
The initiative has generated expressions of interest from Asian and European investors, signalling potential opportunities for financing projects across key sectors of the economy.
Nigeria also secured World Bank Group support for power and infrastructure through guarantee instruments, while the IMF maintained its commitment to providing technical support in fiscal governance, transparency and statistics.
Further cooperation was discussed with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the United States Treasury and the European Union.
Beyond investment mobilisation, Nigeria used the meetings to advocate reforms to the international financial architecture.
As it concluded its chairmanship of the G-24, the country called for a quota-based IMF system, more equitable credit ratings and reduced borrowing costs for developing nations.
Oyedele warned that the global economy faced a significant employment challenge as artificial intelligence continued to reshape production and the labour market.
He said approximately 1.2 billion young people would enter the global labour market over the next 10 to 15 years, while the World Bank estimates that about 400 million jobs would be available.
According to the minister, the imbalance highlights the need for economic policies that prioritise employment alongside productivity and growth.
He challenged the Bretton Woods institutions to assess their interventions based on their contribution to job creation and improved economic opportunities.
“Stability was the first test. Growth that employs our people is the second,” Oyedele said.
He also ruled out a return to fuel subsidies and multiple exchange rates, reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining its current reform direction.
Nigeria’s participation in the meetings was aimed at strengthening international partnerships, attracting long-term investment and ensuring that the gains from economic reforms translate into productive jobs and inclusive growth.
