Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele on Wednesday said that with the country’s rapid increase in population, Nigerians should prepare for the tough times that lie ahead.

Dr. Emefiele, who stated this in Abuja when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions predicted that Nigeria will be the third largest populated country in the world by 2050.

He said: “The road ahead for Nigeria is still rough and very tough. But I want to appeal to all Nigerians that a time comes in the history of a country where you have to learn to respect the policies and laws of a country.

“Part of the problem that we have seen in Nigeria is lack of respect for the policies of this country. Nigeria is very good at putting in place policies that are sound and workable.

“But implementation has always been almost zero and it is arising because we see sabotage activities. We see people when policies are made, where they pick up the pieces of paper about the policy, what they think about is how do we circumvent this policy?

“The Central Bank of Nigeria, if given this mandate will push very hard to ensure that those who seek to undermine the policies of Nigeria without respecting the laws of this country will be brought to book under any circumstances.

“And that is why I said please, pray for us because the road ahead is still rough.”

He added that the apex bank will strongly support the Federal Government in its diversification drive aimed at making the economy stronger while widening the scope for productive engagements of millions of Nigerians.