The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor for Economic Policy, Muhammad Abdullahi, has dismissed claims that its recent redeployment of staff from Abuja to Lagos State was politically motivated, reports Business Today NG.
Abdullahi, made the denial at a two-day Interactive Session on Government-Citizens Engagement in Kaduna on Wednesday, 30 July, 2025;
Recall that CBN rolled out its Early Exit Package (EEP) in 2024. As part of the policy, the apex bank reduced its staff strength in Abuja Headquarters.
The decision had been greeted with controversy, with some critics claiming the move was targeted at the banks’ workers from Northern Nigeria.
But Abdullahi ,however, countered the claim, saying that the policy was not targeted at anybody.
According to him, a recommendation from the banks’ insurance provider concerning workplace safety triggered its decision to decongest its Abuja headquarters.
“It is not an agenda against anybody. Some of those staff members taken to Lagos and Kaduna are now so happy they don’t even want to come back to Abuja.
Abdullahi also dismissed claims that CBN deliberately removed 16 directors, particularly from the Northern region.
“There are many directors from the Northern region currently serving in the bank,” he stated.
He stressed that the son of the country’s secretary to the government of the federation was also redeployed from Abuja to Lagos.
“The son of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation was also moved from Abuja to Lagos. Nobody was spared—it is a policy of the bank,” he stated.
