Olayemi Michael “Yemi” Cardoso, born on July 10, 1957, is a Nigerian banker and the current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). His career spans over three decades in the private and public sectors, marked by significant contributions to Nigeria’s economic landscape.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Olayemi Michael Cardoso |
| Date of Birth | July 10, 1957 |
| Place of Birth | Not publicly available |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Not publicly available |
| Spouse | Abimbola Chima Cardoso |
| Children | Five (including triplets and twins) |
| Occupations | Banker, Stockbroker, Consultant, Public Servant |
| Net Worth | Estimated $5 – $8 Million USD (as of late 2023) |
Early Life and Education
Cardoso attended Corona School Ikoyi and St. Gregory’s College, Lagos. In 1980, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Managerial and Administrative Studies from Aston University, United Kingdom.
He also holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, graduating in 2005 as a fellow of the Michael Romer Memorial Scholarships.
In 2017, Aston University was awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration.
Career
Cardoso’s career encompasses banking, stockbroking, and consulting. He began his banking career with Citibank, participating in the Citibank credit training program in Athens, Greece.
He operated within the West Africa Regional Office, managing relationships in countries where Citibank had sovereign debt exposure but no physical presence.
He rose to the position of Vice President at Citibank. In 1984, he rejoined Citibank as a founding member of Nigeria International Bank Limited as Head of the World Corporation Group, managing global relationships and serving on the bank’s credit committee.
In 1988, he established Citibank’s first branch outside Lagos, in Kano, Nigeria, and was subsequently appointed Vice President.
Later, he co-founded Citizens International Bank, where he served as an Executive Director for eight years. In 1999, he was appointed as the first Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget for Lagos State.
He crafted and implemented a blueprint that catalyzed economic development in Lagos, leading to financial reforms and initiatives such as the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
Cardoso has also advised international development organizations, including the World Bank and the Ford Foundation.
On September 15, 2023, Bola Tinubu appointed Cardoso as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and he was confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on September 23, 2023.
Personal Life
Net Worth
Yemi Cardoso’s net worth is estimated to be $8 million US Dollars (₦6,800,000,000 Billion Naira) as of 2023. Another source says his net worth is $5 Million as of November 2023.
