Toba Owojaiye, Reporting
Abuja , Nigeria
In recent developments, the Presidency has clarified the relocation of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Department of Banking Supervision to Lagos and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) head office back to Lagos. Rumors suggesting a potential move of Nigeria’s capital from Abuja to Lagos have been vehemently denied by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Truth Live News gathered that the Presidency has emphasized that these administrative decisions should not be politicized, asserting the permanence of Abuja as the Federal Capital, backed by legal provisions. The movement of FAAN to Lagos is framed as a logical step considering Lagos’ role as the commercial capital and aviation hub, with a reminder that FAAN will maintain a presence in Abuja.
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, criticized the relocation, expressing concerns about political consequences and the potential misguidance of President Tinubu by “Lagos boys.” Ndume argued against having two capitals, asserting that regulators of financial institutions should remain in Abuja.
On the other hand, former CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi offered a nuanced perspective. He clarified errors in previous reports about the CBN’s initial strategy, emphasizing the need for a strategic analysis of departmental locations.
Sanusi supported the idea of moving certain functions to Lagos for operational efficiency, advocating for a focus on strategic intent and empathy in employee considerations. He advised the CBN Governor to prioritize the central bank’s key mandates to gain credibility.
The controversy surrounding the relocation of key departments reflects differing views on administrative decisions, with the Presidency defending its actions, while some northern stakeholders remain skeptical, expressing concerns about political implications ahead of Tinubu 2027 re-election chances.