Mixed reactions as CBN transfers departments to Lagos
By Sodiq Adelakun
In a move to decongest its head office and enhance productivity, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced plans to transfer some of its departments to Lagos State.
An internal memo released on Saturday outlined the decision, which has been met with resistance from some staff members who claim it is driven by tribal sentiment.
However, an anonymous CBN official clarified that the relocation is primarily for the safety and increased productivity of the affected employees.
The official compared the situation at the CBN to that of a company with over 500 staff, where 200 employees used to commute to work from other states. Relocating these employees to the state where they work would not only enhance their safety but also boost productivity.
The official emphasised that only specific departments, such as the Bank Supervision Department, are affected by the transfer.The decision to relocate these departments is aimed at improving the productivity of the staff while also reducing costs and ensuring their safety.
The CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso, has identified several departments for relocation, including Banking Supervision, Other Financial Institutions Supervision, Consumer Protection, Payment System Management, and Financial Policy Regulations.
The official explained that most of the bank’s headquarters are located in Lagos, and it is common practice for the CBN to send staff from Abuja to work in Lagos for short periods before returning to the head office.
However, this constant travel poses safety risks and is not cost-efficient for the bank. While acknowledging that some affected workers may feel discomfort due to the relocation, the official assured that it is ultimately for their benefit.
“What is happening now at the CBN is likened to a company with over 500 staff and say 200 used to go to work in other states and return to the head office. It is not out of place for the company to relocate them fully to that state to work and increase their safety and productivity,” he said.
He also noted that the carrying capacity of the Abuja office is 3 000 but the staff strength is at 4 000 now which is a threat to the facilities at the head office.
“Abuja office is designed to carry about 3 000 staff but we are 4 000 already. The facility managers have already warned of the implication; the security of staff is also at stake with the increased number because it overwhelms the managers,” the official stated.
Excerpts from the memo obtained read, “This is to notify all staff members at the CBN Head Office that we have initiated a decongestion action plan designed to optimise the operational environment of the bank.
“This initiative aims to ensure compliance with building safety standards and enhance the efficient utilisation of our office space.
“This action is necessitated by several factors, including the need to align the Bank’s structure with its functions and objectives, redistribute skills to ensure a more even geographical spread of talent and comply with building regulations, as indicated by repeated warnings from the Facility Manager, and the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Decongestion of the CBN Head Office.
“The action plan focuses on optimising the utilisation of other Bank’s premises. With this plan, 1,533 staff will be moved to other CBN facilities within Abuja, Lagos and understaffed branches.
“Our current occupancy level of 4,233 significantly exceeds the optimal capacity of 2,700 designed for the Head Office building. This overcrowding poses several critical challenges:
“Safety Concerns: The building’s infrastructure was designed for a specific number of occupants. Exceeding this capacity has raised safety concerns, increased health and accident risks – and hinders efficient emergency evacuation.
“Reduced Efficiency: Crowded workspaces are negatively impacting productivity and collaboration. Additionally, overstretched facilities have led to increased maintenance costs.
“Structural Integrity: The building’s integrity can be compromised by exceeding its designed capacity.”
The memo stressed that the decongestion would also improve the apex bank’s operational and workflow efficiency.
“Strategic alignment: The decision to redistribute departments and staff is rooted in a strategic approach to align the structure of the Bank with its functions and objectives. Certain departments may be better suited to operate in proximity to Financial Institutions’ head offices, which are predominantly located in Lagos. This strategic alignment ensures optimal collaboration and efficiency,” the memo stated.
