The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has moved to allay fears and reassure depositors about the safety of their funds in Nigerian banks.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Hakama Sidi-Ali, the acting Director of Corporate Communications, the apex bank emphasized the robustness and health of deposit money banks in the country.
The CBN’s statement comes in response to reports, not from Channels Television, suggesting that the Federal Government was considering taking over some CBN-supervised banks following a report by the CBN’s special investigator, Jim Obazee.
Obazee, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in July 2023, had implicated former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele in his report, alleging the use of proxies to establish two financial institutions, leading to speculation about a possible takeover.
The CBN categorically dismissed such reports, stating, “Nigerian banks remain safe and sound.” The apex bank urged the public to continue their regular banking activities without undue concern, emphasizing that the reports did not originate from the CBN.
“The CBN is fully equipped to carry out its statutory duty of upholding a stable financial system in Nigeria,” the statement affirmed. It further assured the general public and depositors of the safety of their funds in Nigerian financial institutions.
“Bank customers are therefore advised to proceed with their banking transactions as usual, as there is no cause for concern,” the CBN concluded.
