The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it has taken delivery of locally sourced gold refined to London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery standards into its foreign reserves. The development, CBN noted, brings the CBN’s total gold holdings to $3.5 billion, marking a significant step in its reserve diversification strategy. According to a statement by the apex bank, the gold, sourced in Nigeria, was aggregated by the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) through the National Gold Purchase Programme (NGPP). The programme involves local miners and operates within a responsible sourcing framework aligned with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Due Diligence Guidelines and the World Gold Council’s London Principles. Speaking at the one-day worksh...