Sanusi backs CBN on departments relocation

The former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido, has endorsed the Central Bank of Nigeria's decision to relocate selected departments from Abuja to Lagos, deeming the move as "eminently sensible." In a statement, the former CBN Governor emphasized the larger infrastructure capacity in the Lagos office.

The relocation plan has sparked controversies, particularly from the Northern political class, who argue that it may worsen economic disparities between the North and South. Sanusi advised the current CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, to resist yielding to political pressures and proceed with the planned relocation.

Offering counsel, Sanusi urged the Governor to stay firm on the principled decision and ignore the noise from critics. He drew parallels with his own experiences, recalling religious objections when licensing Jaiz Bank, stating that standing firm ultimately led to acceptance.

Sanusi disclosed that he had contemplated a similar move during his tenure but was unable to execute it due to time constraints. He proposed relocating certain departments to Lagos, leaving essential functions in Abuja, a strategic move that, in his view, makes eminent sense.

Dismissive of opposition, Sanusi deemed it unnecessary, emphasizing that the CBN has staff across the federation, and concerns about office capacity were unfounded. He suggested that renowned construction company Julius Berger could provide clarification on the matter.

Sanusi challenged the notion that the current challenge lay in office capacity, arguing that the real issue was employees prioritizing their Abuja lifestyle and businesses over their roles at the CBN, many of whom are children of politically exposed individuals.