Nigerian Senate confirms Cardoso as CBN governor, four other deputies

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of Dr Olayemi Michael Cardoso as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), alongside his deputies days after they had resumed office.

The nominees confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday for the deputy governorship positions are Mrs. Emem Nnana Usoro, Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi Dattijo, Mr. Philip Ikeazor, and Dr. Bala M. Bello.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio disclosed that the nominees had been confirmed after their screening.

The Senate earlier said in a statement by the Media Office of the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, that it would screen Cardoso and the other nominees who would join forces with him to steer the affairs of the apex bank for the next five years.

A release issued by the CBN spokesperson, Isa AbdulMumin, had said, “Similarly, the Deputy-Governors-Designate 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.”

Meanwhile, the Senate said it would screen all the nominees following its resumption from its annual recess.

The statement read, “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will resume plenary on Tuesday, September 26. We will consider the screening of Dr. Cardoso at the Committee of the whole.

“Dr. Cardoso will be screened alongside four deputy governors namely Mrs. Emem Nnana Usoro, Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi Dattijo, Mr. Philip Ikeazor, and Dr. Bala M. Bello.

“Besides, the Senate has scheduled to screen the ministerial nominees – Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim and Mr. Ayodele Olawande, respectively designated as Minister of Youth and Minister of State for Youth on October 3.”