Worries As CBN Begins Abuja Office Decongestion Affecting 1533 Staff

CBN's announcement of an Abuja office decongestion effecting 1,533 employees caused a stir

Employee anxiety is rising as a result of the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) decision to start decongesting its head office in Abuja, which will impact 1,533 employees.

A January 12, 2024, circular from the CBN Human Resources Department's Director to all employees stated that safety concerns and the need to increase efficiency had forced the change.

The optimal capacity of 2,700 for the head office building is significantly exceeded by the headquarters occupancy level of 4,233, it was added.

As a result, 1,533 employees will be moved from its head office to understaffed branches and other CBN locations in Abuja and Lagos.

In order to achieve this, roughly 80% of the CBN staff in the Banking Supervision Department has been relocated to Lagos State.

The official explanation is that a small portion of the Department's staff is still in Abuja, while the head offices of the banks they are supposed to oversee are situated in Lagos.

“This is to notify all staff members at the CBN Head Office that we have initiated a decongestion action plan designed to optimize the operational environment of the Bank.

“This initiative aims to ensure compliance with building safety standards and enhance the efficient utilization of our office space.

“This action is necessitated by several factors, including the need to align the Bank'sBank'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 Building,” it stated.

It further stated that the head office building's ideal capacity of 2,700 is much exceeded by the headquarters occupancy level of 4,233.

This will result in the relocation of 1,533 employees from its head office to understaffed branches and other CBN locations in Lagos and Abuja.

In order to achieve this, about 80% of the CBN's Banking Supervision Department employees have been moved to Lagos State.

The official explanation is that the head offices of the banks they are meant to oversee are in Lagos, while a small portion of the Department's workforce remains in Abuja.

However, the development sent a shockwave of uncertainties among staff who faulted the move.

A staff member who spoke under anonymity said, “The move is ill-planned. How does the management want those married to cope with the situation?”

Another source said, “I doubt the motive of the management. The decision has been made. Likely, the government is shifting attention to Lagos.”