The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum has strongly Criticized the decision to relocate crucial departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos.
Initiated due to high costs, the FAAN and CBN have begun moving key departments to Lagos, citing optimization of operational environments and compliance with building safety standards.
The CBN internal memo stated, “This initiative aims to ensure compliance with building safety standards and enhance the efficient utilization of our office space.”
It outlined a plan to move 1,533 staff to various CBN facilities in Abuja, Lagos, and understaffed branches.
Simultaneously, the Federal Government announced the relocation of FAAN’s headquarters to Lagos, raising concerns about the potential consequences for Abuja’s status as the capital city.
AYCF President General, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, expressed apprehension over the move, citing risks to national unity, operational disruptions, economic setbacks, and regional imbalances.
Shettima urged the Northern elite to break their silence, stressing that any agenda tampering with Abuja’s role as the capital will face fierce resistance from the North.
He called for national unity and requests relevant authorities to reconsider the relocations to safeguard Abuja’s status.
“The organization urges decision-makers to prioritize national unity and ensure that any actions taken do not perpetuate regional imbalances or compromise the political and economic viability of Northern Nigeria,” Shettima concluded.
