Prominent leaders of South-East Nigerian origin residing in the diaspora have raised grave allegations against the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso. In a strongly worded petition, these respected figures, drawn from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, South Africa, and others, accused the CBN Governor of orchestrating what they described as a systematic and calculated “ethnic cleansing” of Igbo professionals from Nigeria’s apex financial institution.
According to the petition, the current leadership under Governor Cardoso has overseen what the group termed an unprecedented marginalization and exclusion of South-Easterners from the institution’s top hierarchy. The petition cited a widely circulated report by prominent journalist and broadcaster, Rufai Oseni, which highlighted a disturbing trend of nepotism and ethnic bias in the recent round of appointments into directorial positions within the CBN.
The diaspora leaders alleged that since Mr. Cardoso assumed office, there has been a deliberate and relentless purge of highly qualified South-East professionals within the CBN. In particular, they pointed to the mass dismissal of all directors from the South-East in May 2024. Among those removed were:
- Chibuzor Efobi, Director of Financial Policy and Regulation
- Dr. Scholastica Ozoemena Nnaji, Director of Trade and Exchange
- Chibuike Nwaegerue, Director of Other Financial Institutions Supervision
- Nkiru Asiegbu, Director of the Special Duties unit
The petitioners emphasized that these dismissals were executed without due process no board resolutions, disciplinary panels, or formal allegations of misconduct were issued. They also noted that affected officials were not given any opportunity to defend themselves or respond to any accusations, as none were made known.
In addition to the ousted directors, the group highlighted that over 20 deputy directors and at least 15 assistant directors many of whom were foreign-trained and globally recognized in their respective fields were also removed. Some of the notable names mentioned include:
- Dr. Valentine Ururuka, a macro-prudential regulation expert trained at the University of Lancaster
- Dr. Odim Orji, a leading authority in monetary policy
- Angela Ofili, a renowned human resource strategist
- Christian Eze, another highly respected HR professional
These terminations, the petition noted, have not only triggered numerous lawsuits against the CBN but have also cast a cloud of legal and reputational risk over the institution, with the potential to incur massive financial liabilities for Nigerian taxpayers.
The petition further alleged that the wave of new appointments that followed the purge was tainted with ethnic favoritism, especially towards candidates from the South-West. The group claimed that several individuals from the South-West were appointed to directorship positions despite either underperforming during assessments or not applying for the roles at all.
Specific examples cited include:
- Rita Ijeoma Sike, who reportedly outperformed her counterpart, Adetona Sikiru Adedeji, during interviews for Director of Banking Supervision, was passed over in favor of Adedeji.
- Chikelu Edison Oballum, who emerged the top candidate for the Development Finance Institutions Supervision Department, was overlooked, while Monsurat Vincent who neither applied for nor interviewed for that department was appointed Director of Strategy instead.
- Dr. Paul Ihuoma Oluikpe, who ranked among the top two in interviews for both the Strategy and Corporate Communications departments, was denied both roles. The Strategy role was ultimately handed to Vincent, and Corporate Communications was controversially merged with Investor Relations and awarded to another allegedly less qualified South-West candidate.
- Promise Joe-Ibekwe, a high-performing South-East candidate for Director of Payments System Management, was bypassed in favor of Rakiya Opemi Yusuf, who reportedly never even applied for the position.
- Ifeoma Geraldine Okwor, who excelled in her interview for the Banking Services Department, was also ignored in favor of less competent candidates.
The petitioners decried what they termed a “tribal bazaar” in which merit, national unity, and institutional integrity were sacrificed on the altar of ethnic loyalty. They revealed that out of 29 directorship positions recently filled, a staggering 13 were given to candidates of Yoruba extraction, while only one was allocated to the entire South-East zone.
They contrasted this with previous CBN administrations, including that of former Governor Godwin Emefiele, under whom, despite controversies, efforts were made to ensure regional balance, typically ensuring that each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones had at least four directors.
According to the petition, Governor Cardoso’s appointment patterns have dangerously disrupted this balance, and in doing so, he has undermined the credibility, inclusivity, and unity of a critical national institution. The diaspora leaders warned that such discriminatory practices erode public trust, foster national disunity, and risk inflaming ethnic tensions.
They therefore called on the National Assembly to launch an immediate investigation into the CBN’s recent appointments under Cardoso and to take corrective steps to reverse what they described as an “institutionalised injustice” against the South-East.
The petition ends with a stern warning: unless these issues are addressed with urgency and fairness, the resulting disenfranchisement of a major ethnic bloc may have lasting consequences on Nigeria’s fragile national cohesion and the integrity of its most critical financial institutions.
