The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of Yemi Cardoso as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor and four others as deputy governors of the apex bank.

Their appointment was confirmed after their screening by the upper legislative bodytoday September 26. The deputy governors who were confirmed are Emem Nnana Usoro, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi Dattijo, Philip Ikeazor, and Bala Bello.

“The nomination of Olayemi Cardoso is hereby confirmed as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),” Senate President Godswill Akpabio said

Before their confirmation, the nominees had answered questions on matters related to economic and other policies. During the screening, Cardoso promised to embrace compliance, assuring that under his leadership, the apex bank would remain apolitical.

“I believe that the Central Bank under our watch will have no choice but to embrace a culture of compliance. We will not wait for oversight to come and tell us what to do. We will ensure that by the time the system is passing through us, we catch it and we deal with it,” said Cardoso who promised zero tolerance for abuse of compliance. That is a cultural shift, a change in mindset, but we will make sure it happens,” Cardoso said

Olayemi Michael Cardoso who was recently nominated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN on Friday, September 22, 2023, pending his confirmation by the Senate. A statement released by the apex bank says Cardoso’s assumption follows the resignation of the immediate past governor of the bank, Godwin Emefiele,

The statement added that the Deputy-Governors-Designate of the bank have also assumed duty, in acting capacities, sequel to the formal resignation of Mr. Folashodun Shonubi, Mrs. Aishah Ahmad, Mr. Edward Lametek Adamu, and Dr. Kingsley Obiora as Deputy Governors of the CBN.

‘’Dr. Cardoso and his colleagues subscribed to the relevant oaths of office at a brief ceremony held at the Bank’s Head Office in Abuja, on Friday, September 2023, and have since settled down to the task of administering monetary and financial sector policies of the FederalGovernment.”

An Economic and Development Policy Advisor, Financial Sector Leader, former Chairman Citi Nigeria and Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos, Cardoso brings over three decades of managerial experience on board. He is an alumnus of Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom, where he studied managerial and administrative studies. He also holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, United States of America.

It will be recalled that Dr. Cardoso and his colleagues were appointed to their respective positions at the Bank on September 15, 2023, subject to their confirmation by the Senate.

The suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has reportedly opted for plea bargain.

The Nation reports that as part of the out-of-court settlement terms, Emefiele will forfeit any illicit funds and questionable assets traced to him. It is however not certain if any illicit fund has been linked to him.

The report adds that Emefiele will also step aside as the CBN governor to enable the government to appoint a substantive holder. It was also gathered that Emefiele and his relations will withdraw all matters in court.

On Wednesday, August 23, an Abuja Court struck out a suit filed by the embattled CBN governor challenging his detention. His siblings – George and Okanta – withdrew the two suits they filed against the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

Some highly-placed Nigerians were said to have interceded for Emefiele to make government accept the plea bargain offer. The turn of event on his trial was said to have both “legal and political tones to avoid anything which may have negative impacts on the economic agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Emefiele is standing trial for alleged violation of the procurement law to the tune of N6.9 billion.

A source was quoted as saying Emefiele was worried about the likely dragging of his trial for years, as and members his family weighed all options and settled for plea bargain. They added that the Federal Government’s legal team and Emefiele’s lawyers were perfecting the terms of settlement.