The former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has expressed support for the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to relocate certain departments from its Abuja headquarters to Lagos.

In a statement on Thursday, Sanusi deemed the move “eminently sensible,” citing the larger infrastructure capacity in the Lagos office.

Despite controversies surrounding the decision, particularly from the Northern political class, Sanusi advised the current CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, not to yield to political pressures. He emphasized the importance of making principled decisions and urged the CBN to ignore the noise generated by certain political and religious groups.

Drawing from his own experiences, Sanusi recalled facing religious opposition when licensing Jaiz Bank but emphasized the importance of rising above such sentiments. He urged the CBN to persevere and carry out the necessary actions, acknowledging the unpopularity and difficulty of the job.

Sanusi revealed that he had contemplated a similar relocation during his tenure as CBN governor, intending to move certain operations to Lagos for strategic reasons. He argued that such a move would have made operational sense, with economic policy, corporate services, and other relevant departments remaining in Abuja.

Dismissing opposition claims about inadequate office structures, Sanusi challenged assertions about the current capacity, suggesting that Julius Berger, a renowned construction company, could provide clarification if needed.

In conclusion, Sanusi dismissed opposition to the policy as “absolutely unnecessary” and emphasized the need for the CBN to remain focused on its strategic goals despite the challenges and criticisms.

END.