Controversy is brewing over the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) plans, led by Dr. Temi Cardoso, to alleviate congestion at its headquarters in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),Daily Trust reports.
To address the congestion, key departments are slated for relocation from Abuja to Lagos, the CBN’s former headquarters, affecting a total of 1,533 staff members.
Daily Trust on Sunday’s investigation reveals that the departments earmarked for transfer by the CBN governor include Banking Supervision, Other Financial Institutions Supervision, Consumer Protection Department, Payment System Management Department, and Financial Policy Regulations Department.
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A portion of the memo obtained by Daily Trust on Sunday states, “This is to notify all staff members at the CBN head office that we have initiated a decongestion action plan designed to optimize the operational environment of the bank. This initiative aims to ensure compliance with building safety standards and enhance the efficient utilization of our office space.
“This action is necessitated by several factors, including the need to align the bank’s structure with its functions and objectives, redistribute skills to ensure a more even geographical spread of talents, and comply with building regulations as indicated by repeated warnings from the facility manager, and the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Decongestion of the CBN head office.
“The action plan focuses on optimizing the utilization of other bank’s premises. With this plan, 1,533 staff will be moved to other CBN facilities within Abuja, Lagos, and understaffed branches.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the CBN were unsuccessful, as the Director of Corporate Communication, Hakama Sidi Ali, could not be reached. However, an anonymous management source confirmed the move, asserting that the headquarters, designed for slightly over 2,000 staff members, currently accommodates over 4,000. The source clarified that departments like Banking Supervision and Payment Systems, primarily operating in Lagos, justify the relocation, with 80 percent of affected staff returning to Lagos.
Daily Trust on Sunday’s investigation also reveals that some staff will be posted to state branches of the CBN, particularly where there is a shortage of personnel.
