MANAGING AGENCIES’ RELOCATION WITH CAUTION
The plan by the federal government to move some key departments of CBN and FAAN headquarters to Lagos, citing space constraints and operations flexibility has stirred controversy. Ordinarily, in a saner society, such administrative minor changes should not have elicited mixed reactions let alone suspicion. But in Nigeria, there is huge trust gap between the major ethnic tribes – Hausa, Yorubas and Igbos. Little wonder, whoever emerges as president of the diverse ethnic country is being closely monitored and his policies vetted. Many good policies which are intended to provide solutions are viewed with ethnic, religious or regional lenses. During the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, efforts were made to nip in the bud decades-old farmer/herder crisis in the country. The government through the Ministry of Agriculture, initiated “RUGA” policy. Under it, the troubled states would provide lands for the federal government to build ranches for the Fulani herders. The proposed ranches would confine the herders within specific areas and prevent them from open grazing that often results in bloody fight. However, the lofty policy was rejected by many states on the basis of ethnic and religious difference.
That is why, when the news of relocation of CBN departments and FAAN headquarters filtered into the air, hues and cries immediately trail the move. If government hinges its relocation plans on office constraints, why not build new ones? There is no gainsaying the fact, Abuja, the federal capital, has vast landmass that can be used for building any structure. Former CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, stated that those who are opposing the plan have their children working in the apex bank. He also advised the government to reconsider nursing women and those with health challenges. In as much as I agree with his submission, i blame government for lack of stakeholders engagements or aggressive sensitization which fuels deeper suspicion not only in the north but also other parts of the country. The government’s decision comes at a wrong time when the country is undergoing healing process arising from last general election.
In 2023 general elections, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who governed Lagos State for eight years was defeated in Lagos by Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP). His loss in the poll triggered the debate on who owns Lagos State, with Yorubas laying claim of ownership. If eventually those CBN departments and FAAN headquarters are successfully moved to Lagos, what will be the fate of other tribes working there? Already, government stated that Lagos is an aviation hub, and with many commercial banks hence the need to move such offices. This is not far from the truth, but many states have CBN branches in their domains. In a digital age where information is passed and received with supersonic speed, the issue of relocating these departments or any agency is less important. Moving government offices from the seat of power will strip it of its befitting status as the federal capital.
Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, Kaduna State
