A nominee for the Central Bank of Nigeria Board of Directors, Urum Kalu Eke, has declined the offer, citing his current engagement with the World Bank. This revelation emerged during the Thursday plenary as the Senate commenced the confirmation process for the nominees.
President Bola Tinubu had submitted the names of Urum and four others on February 13 for confirmation as members of the CBN board. However, during the confirmation proceedings, Senator Orji Kalu, the former Governor of Abia State, informed the Senate that Urum, his constituent, had rejected the offer. Urum reportedly expressed concerns about the potential conflict between the board membership and his role as a consultant with the World Bank, working for federal government agencies and private companies.
In the same session, the Senate confirmed the appointments of the four other nominees for the CBN Board of Directors. The confirmed directors are Robert Agbede, Ado Yakubu Wanka, Professor Murtala Sabo Sagagi, and Mrs. Muslimat Olanike Aliyu.
The confirmation followed the consideration of a report on the screening of the nominees presented by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance & Other Financial Institutions. Abiru explained that Urum Kalu Eke was not cleared by the committee because he failed to appear for the screening.
