By Uzair Adam Imam
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) employees have expressed profound apprehension as the specter of job loss looms large following the appointment of Dr. Olayemi Cardoso as Governor.
In interviews with journalists, CBN workers voiced concerns that no department within the apex bank seems immune to the ongoing wave of terminations.
This unease intensified with the recent dismissal of another 50 colleagues, bringing the tally to approximately 117 employees shown the door in just 20 days, spanning 29 different departments.
Among those affected are directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, principal managers, senior managers, and lower-ranking staff.
One employee lamented, “We’ve witnessed indiscriminate layoffs in procurement, development finance, and medical services.
“This trend suggests that other departments might face the same fate soon.
“I fear they’ll target those who worked closely with the sacked directors. Such apprehension doesn’t bode well for productivity or the system.”
Another senior staff member revealed, “Many sacked individuals received their letters quietly and left their offices feeling helpless due to the systemic structure.”
Under Cardoso’s leadership, the CBN has undergone numerous changes in policies and personnel, deviating significantly from the tenure of his predecessor, Godwin Emefiele.
Even CBN vendors have voiced grievances, as some who completed contracts since last June await payment indefinitely under the new management, amidst suspicions that they might have benefited from Emefiele’s administration.