Urum Kalu Eke, a proposed member for the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Board of Directors, has declined the nomination due to his commitments with the World Bank. This development emerged during the Senate’s plenary session on Thursday, aimed at confirming the nominees.
On February 13, President Bola Tinubu submitted the names of Urum and four others to the Senate for approval to serve on the CBN’s board.
However, during the confirmation process, Senator Orji Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State representing APC, Abia North, informed the Senate that Urum, a constituent of his, had telephoned him to turn down the nomination. Urum cited a conflict with his current role as a consultant for the World Bank, various federal agencies, and private entities.
“He said, ‘The nominee told me this role would conflict with his job as a consultant to the World Bank, Federal Government agencies and other private companies.’”
In the meantime, the Senate proceeded to ratify the appointment of the other four nominees for the CBN Board of Directors as proposed by the President.
The individuals confirmed as Directors on Thursday include Robert Agbede, Ado Yakubu Wanka, Professor Murtala Sabo Sagagi, and Mrs. Muslimat Olanike Aliyu, following the review of a screening report presented by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance & Other Financial Institutions, representing APC, Lagos East.
Senator Abiru stated, “That the Senate do receive and consider the report on the confirmation of the nomination of the following Five (5) persons as members of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with section 6(1), (2) (d), and 10 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”
He also noted that Urum Kalu Eke was not cleared by the Committee due to his absence from the screening process.
