FULL TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE JOINT-ACTION COMMITTEE OF NORTHERN YOUTH ASSOCIATIONS, ON THE PURPORTED RELOCATION OF FIVE DEPARTMENTS OF THE CBN AND THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE FAAN FROM FCT ABUJA, TO LAGOS STATE, HELD ON JANUARY 22, 2024, AT AREWA HOUSE CONFERENCE HALL, KADUNA.
Distinguished members of the press, representatives of Nigerian and global media organizations, esteemed guests, and fellow citizens, we stand before you today as the Joint-Action Committee o f Northern Youth Associations, unified by a collective concern that echoes the sentiments of millions who call the diverse and culturally rich Northern region of Nigeria home.
We are here today to express our strong opposition and concern over the proposal to relocate five critical departments o f the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); an institution that serves as the bedrock of our economic stability and financial governance, and on the purported relocation ofthe Headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) by the Federal Ministry of Aviation from Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to Lagos State.
We, the Northern Nigeria Youth Associations, represent the voice and interest of millions ofyoung people from the Northern region ofthe country, who are deeply affected by these decisions.
We believe that these decisions are not only unjustified, but also detrimental to the economic, social and political development of the Northern region and the nation as a whole.
Therefore, our purpose is to address issues o f paramount importance that has captured our attention and stirred the hearts o f those who share a deep commitment to the unity, stability, and prosperity o f our great nation.
1. First of all, we question the rationale behind the relocation of the CBN departments, which include Banking Supervision; Other Financial Institutions Supervision; Consumer Protection; Payment System Management; and Financial Policy Regulations. These are vital functions that regulate and oversee the financial sector of the country, which is largely concentrated in Lagos. By moving these departments to Lagos State, the CBN is effectively creating a monopoly and a bias in favor of the financial institutions based in Lagos, while neglecting and marginalizing the ones in other parts of the country, especially the North.
2. According to an internal memo, the CBN claimed that the relocation was to decongest the apex bank’s head office in Abuja, which was designed for 3,000 members of staff, but now has 4,000.
However, this argument does not hold water, as the CBN could have easily expanded its office space in Abuja or distributed its staff to other regions, instead of concentrating them in Lagos. The fact that the CBN did not consult with the stakeholders and the public, who owned the Bank, shows not only lack of transparency and accountability by its management but that the action itself lacks basic legitimacy and is therefore unacceptable.
3. Contrary to the padesterian arguments of the CBN, the relocation of these 5 key departments to Lagos will have serious consequences for the financial inclusion, stability and security of the country. It will create a gap between the CBN and the federal government, which is based in Abuja, and hamper the coordination and communication between them. It will also expose the CBN to undue influence and interference from the private sector and the state government in Lagos, which may compromise its independence and integrity. Furthermore, it will reduce the opportunities and benefits for the financial institutions and customers in other regions, especially the North, which already suffers from low financial access and inclusion.
4. Similarly, we condemn the decision of the Federal Ministry of Aviation to relocate the FAAN headquarters to Lagos, which is a clear violation of the Federal Character Principle enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The FAAN is a statutory agency that manages and operates all the airports in the country, not just the ones in Lagos.
By moving its headquarters to Lagos, the FAAN is undermining the federal structure of the country and the principle of equal representation and participation of all the states and regions in the governance and administration of the country.
This will also have negative implications for the security, safety and efficiency of the airports in other parts of the country, especially the North, which are already facing challenges of underdevelopment, underfunding and underutilization.
5. The FAAN stated that the relocation is in the best interest of the country, as it would help prevent waste of public resources and enhance service delivery. However, this statement is not only contradictory but grossly misleading, as the relocation will actually increase the cost and reduce the quality of the FAAN services.
The relocation will require the FAAN to rent a new office in Lagos or rollout process of buiding new complex to accommodate all its directors and staff for billions of Naira of public funds.
The relocation will also create a disconnect between the FAAN and the federal government, which is based in Abuja, and affect the oversight and regulation ofthe FAAN activities.
Moreover, the relocation will create a bias and favoritism towards airports in Lagos, which already account for more than 60% of the passenger volume ofthe country while neglecting and marginalizing the airports in other regios, especially the North, which need more attention and investment.
6. Our collective voice today echoes the concerns of those who fear that these decisions, made with the intention of addressing congestion and operational efficiency, may inadvertently set in motion a series of consequences that transcend the boardrooms of the Central Bank and the FAAN.
It has the potential to reshape the economic landscape, influence regional dynamics, and impact the lives of citizens whose dreams and aspirations are intricately woven into the fabric of the Nigerian story.
As we navigate through the intricate details and implications of this proposed relocation, we implore you, the esteemed members of the media, to act as the conduit for our message – a message that seeks not only to raise awareness but also to foster a constructive and inclusive dialogue.
Together, let us explore the intricacies, weigh the consequences, and tell those in authority to align their actions with the ideals of unity, diversity, and progress that define the very essence of our beloved Nigeria.
7. Our apprehensions regarding the proposed relocation of critical Central Bank departments and the decision of relocating Headquarters of FAAN to Lagos are deeply rooted in a meticulous analysis of the potential ramifications that extend far beyond the immediate administrative considerations. These are:
8. One, we believe these unwaranted actions by the CBN and FAAN would impact on regional economic equilibrium.
The Northern region has historically played a pivotal role in contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth.
A concentration of essential financial functions in Lagos may inadvertently create an economic imbalance, diminishing opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and aspiring professionals in the Northern States.
This shift poses the risk of exacerbating regional disparities rather than fostering an environment of equal economic development.
The proposed relocation raises serious questions about the potential consequences for employment in the Northern region.
As these key departments make the journey southward, the vacuum created could result in a dearth of job opportunities for skilled individuals in the North. We are concerned that such a move may inadvertently centralize economic opportunities, leaving the northern populace disproportionately affected. The business landscape in the Northern region has evolved based on existing economic networks and relationships with institutions like the Central Bank.
A sudden relocation threatens to disrupt these established networks, potentially leading to uncertainties in financial transactions, investments, and overall economic activities. The ensuing disruption may affect the stability and predictability that businesses, both large and small, rely on.
9. Two, these relocations poses potential humanitarian impacts, particularly on the lives and well-being of the individuals directly affected. Beyond the logistical and administrative aspects, we express profound concerns for the human element and the potential challenges that affected staff and their families may encounter as a result of this significant move. The relocations would bring disruptions to personal lives of the affected staff. This would translate into uprooting individuals from their established communities, social networks and support system with far reaching implications for their emotional well-being and the stability oftheir families. On the extended front there would be educational impact on families; housing and cost of living concerns; healthcare accessibility concerns; social integration challenges; and spousal employment considerations.
10. Three, these relocations undermine inclusivity and national unity. Nigeria as a single political community would only thrive on its diversity, and our national institutions, including the CBN and FAAN, must reflect and promote this diversity. The relocation of the 5 critical departments of CBN and the FAAN to Lagos State is inadvertently done for regional favouratism, thereby willingly and wildly undermining the principles of inclusivity and national unity that are vital for sustaining our shared identity. Economic disparities and imbalances have historically been linked to social unrest.
A scenario where economic opportunities are concentrated in one region may breed dissatisfaction and frustration in others.
To maintain national stability and unity, it is imperative to ensure that economic opportunities are distributed fairly across regions, preventing the emergence of grievances that could lead to social discord.
11. Unless Nigeria is now saddled with crop of leaders presiding over national institutions who are unfolding an unholy agenda for the dismemberment of the Nigerian state, we fail to understand how in this 21st century that challenges of office space or the desire of operational efficiency can simply be addressed by relocation from Abuja to Lagos.
If there are genuine concerns surrounding possible congestion at the CBN or the desire for operational efficiency at both the CBN and FAAN, there are a number of innovative, regionally inclusive, and economically viable alternatives that preserve the geographical diversity and balanced development o f our nation.
12. Congestions and the desire for operational efficiency in any federal institution would be better addressed by strategic expansion of existing facilities that can accommodate the growing operational needs without compromising efficiency, and advancement in construction technologies would offer innovative solutions to address congestion.
Secondly, adoption and utilization of cutting-edge technologies, such as cloud-based systems and digital platforms, will revolutionalize the workflow within CBN (or any institution).
Thus, a technological upgrade can enhance communication, collaboration, and operational efficiency, reducing the physical space requirements and mitigating the challenges associated with congestion. Thirdly, instead of relocating offices to Lagos, national institutions such as CBN, FAAN and others can have innovative decentralized operational approach where regional branches are equipped to handle specific functions.
13. We therefore demand that the Federal Government rescind these decisions taken by the CBN and FAAN immediately and restores the status quo of the CBN and the FAAN headquarters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Abuja was chosen as the capital ofthe country to serve as a neutral and central location that reflects the diversity and unity of the country.
Abuja is also strategically located to facilitate the coordination and integration of the various regions and sectors of the country.
By relocating the CBN and the FAAN headquarters to Lagos, the Federal Government is not only disrespecting the choice and the vision of the founding fathers of the country, but also creating a sense of alienation and exclusion among the people of the Northern region and other regions that are not represented in Lagos.
14. We further demand that the Federal Government affirms the fundamental principle of the establishment of Abuja as the Federal Capital Territory in all its policies and programmes.
The establishment of Abuja was a deliberate and visionary decision of this nation to foster a sense of belonging and equity among all Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic, religious, or regional backgrounds.
Abuja was meant to be a symbol of our collective identity and destiny as a nation.
Therefore, any policy or action to relocate any federal institution or agency away from Abuja is unacceptable and tantamount to a betrayal of the spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We wish to warn the federal government that such actions will not go unchallenged. We will resist them through all available means, including legal, political and civil actions. We will not allow any attempt to undermine the status and integrity of Abuja as the federal capital and the seat of government.
15. We also demand that the Federal Government reaffirm its commitment to the development and sustenance of Abuja as the federal capital. We also request the federal government to ensure that all federal institutions and agencies are adequately funded and staffed in Abuja to enable them to perform their functions effectively and efficiently.
16. We finally call on all Nigerians, especially the youth, to join us in this struggle and demand for fairness and equity in the distribution and allocation of the national resources and institutions. We are not against Lagos or any other part of the country, but we are against any form of discrimination, domination, and marginalization ofany part ofthe country.
We believe in one Nigeria, where every citizen has equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their region, religion or ethnicity.
17. We thank you all for listening, and may the Almighty God bless and protect
our great country, Nigeria.
SIGNED:
Murtala Abubakar – Convener
Hashim Tom Maiyashi – Director, Public Communication & Strategy
Ms. Latifa Abdussalam -Director, Gender Mobilisation.
For and on behalf of the following:
1. Arewa Defense League
2. Association ofNorthern Nigerian Students
3. Arewa Youth for Development and National Unity
4. Arewa Young Women’s Rights Advocate Council
5. Northern Youth in Defense of Democracy
6. Arewa Radio and Television Commentators
7. Northern Youth Democratic Agenda
8. The Time is Now, the Time is Ours Association
9. Arewa Youth Advocate for Peace and Unity Initiative
10. Northeast Youth Artisans Association
11. Bauchi State Citizens Action for Change
12. Youth Initiative for Good Governance
13. Coalition of Tiv Youth Organization
14. Matasan Arewa Ina Mafita Development Association
15. Toro Youth Circle
16. Northern Youth Coalition Forum
