The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has concluded plans to fully relocate major departments from Abuja to the former Lagos headquarters.
A memo obtained by DAILY NIGERIAN, has revealed the departments penciled down for relocation by the CBN governor Yemi Cardoso, include the Banking Supervision (DBS); Other Financial Institutions Supervision (OFISD); Consumer Protection Department (CPD); Payment System Management Department (PSMD), and Financial Policy Regulations Department (FPRD).
These departments, which are the only ones mentioned in the BOFIA Act [Banking and Other Financial Institutions Act], if relocated, would involve the redeployment of 1,533 staff.
According to a source, some heads of department had already briefed their team members to begin preparations for transfer to Lagos, adding that some affected staff had already received their transfer letters.
Although the acting director of Corporate Communications of the CBN, Hakama Sidi-Ali, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report, an internal memo released Friday said the massive redeployment was aimed at decongesting the headquarters.
Read excerpts on the memo below:
“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 talent 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.
“Our current occupancy level of 4,233 significantly exceeds the optimal capacity of 2,700 designed for the Head Office building. This overcrowding poses several critical challenges:
“1. Safety Concerns: The building’s infrastructure was designed for a specific number of occupants. Exceeding this capacity has raised safety concerns, increased health and accident risks – and hinders efficient emergency evacuation.
“2. Reduced Efficiency: Crowded workspaces are negatively impacting productivity and collaboration. Additionally, overstretched facilities have led to increased maintenance costs.
“3. Structural Integrity: The building’s integrity can be compromised by exceeding its designed capacity.
“Strategic alignment: The decision to redistribute departments and staff is rooted in a strategic approach to align the structure of the Bank with its functions and objectives. Certain departments may be better suited to operate in proximity to Financial Institutions’ head offices, which are predominantly located in Lagos. This strategic alignment ensures optimal collaboration and efficiency,” the memo reads.
But an insider said the immediate-past governor, Godwin Emefiele, had made provision for the construction of an annex office and multi-level car park opposite the head office building (behind Sahad Stores) in order to decongest the head office building.
3 Comments
It’s not surprising! But too early, everyone knows the agenda. But BOAT who is claiming to be a detribal leader cannot escape open criticism by this action. Iam therefore advising BOAT not to succumb his selfish people and at the end bring a chaotic situation that would destroy the country.
What is the agenda? To return the capital of Nigeria to Lagos? Is that possible?
We are in 2024 . We should have outgrown the mindset of the sixties.
Some people in other parts of the world are talking about using AI to change their living standards, we are still locked in to tribalism and destructive ethnic rivalry.
What matter most to a people is intellectual, economic and many other forms of growth. Growth comes to a nation when qualified people manage her institutions.
What is the agenda? To return the capital of Nigeria to Lagos? Is that possible?
We are in 2024 . We should have outgrown the mindset of the sixties.
Some people in other parts of the world are talking about using AI to change their living standards, we are still locked in to tribalism and destructive ethnic rivalry.
What matter most to a people is intellectual, economic and many other forms of growth. Growth comes to a nation when qualified people manage her institutions.