The World Bank has appointed Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri as the new country Director for Nigeria to take over from Mr Rachid Benmessoud whom his term expired recently.
A statement issued on behalf of the World Bank through its Communication Officer on Wednesday in Abuja said Chaudhuri is to take over with immediate effect.
Chaudhuri, a U.S national who started his early life in India joined the World Bank in 2004 which gave him the opportunity to head several positions in the bank, his recent position being a Country Director in Afghanistan.
The new Director could not hide his feeling, noted that it is good to be in Nigeria which will give him the opportunity to partner with the government at both federal and state levels to actualise Nigeria’s potentials.
He said was set to transform the economy, catalysing private investment and job creation, investing in Nigeria’s children and creating opportunities for Nigeria’s youth and women.
In his statement, “The World Bank Group has a long-standing partnership with Nigeria and I look forward to deepening our engagement with government partners, with Nigeria’s very vibrant civil society and private sector and with international development partners to help lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.”
Chaudhuri revealed his top priority would be to lead the strategic dialogue with government, development partners and other key stakeholders.
He also promised to develop and implement the new country partnership framework and provide a new strategy and policy advice to the Nigerian government.
According to the statement, prior to becoming Nigeria Director, Chaudhuri had been Practice Manager in the Macroeconomics and Fiscal Management Global Practice for the South Asia Region.
He also held the position of Manager of the World Bank’s Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Department for East Asia and the Pacific and Lead Economist for Indonesia.
