Tinubu Appoints El-Rufai’s Commissioner As CBN Deputy Gov, Fires Emefiele’s Deputies

Muhammad Sani Abdullahi Dattijo has been named as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by President Bola Tinubu.

Dattijo worked under Kaduna State’s most recent governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as commissioner of budget and planning.

Additionally, the president fired every deputy who worked with the Department of State Services (DSS)-arrested former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele.

Under Emefiele, the bank had four deputy governors: Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, who took over as acting governor on June 9, 2023, Aishah N. Ahmad, who oversaw the directorate responsible for the financial system stability, Edward L. Adamu, who oversaw the directorate responsible for corporate services, and Kingsley Obiora, who oversaw the directorate responsible for economic policy.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the spokesperson for the president, released a statement on Friday announcing the appointments of the new CBN deputy governors.

Ngelale stated that, pending confirmation by the Nigerian Senate, President Tinubu had approved the nomination of four new Deputy Governors of the CBN for a term of five (5) years at the outset.

Along with Dattijo, the other nominees are Dr. Bala M. Bello, Mrs. Emem Nnana Usoro, and Mr. Philip Ikeazor.

The Senate must affirm the appointments before they take effect.