On Thursday, the Senate granted approval to four out of the five nominees presented by President Bola Tinubu to serve on the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In a report which was submitted to the Chambers by the Committee Chairman on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Mikhail Adetokunbo Abiru, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, the nominees were satisfactorily screened.

The lawmaker maintained that their nomination by President Tinubu was in line with Section 6(1)(10)(D) of the CBN Act.

While he sought their confirmation, Abiru told his colleagues that there was no petition against any of the nominees, adding that there were no security reports about them by the Department of State Service, DSS or the Nigeria Police and that they had also fulfilled the Code of Conduct Bureau requirements.

He said: “He also said, the nominees have knowledge of the industry and have the capability to serve on the CBN board ”

Meanwhile, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu representing Abia North Senatorial District disclosed that Urum Kalu Eke who is his constituent excused himself from the nomination for another engagement with the World Bank.

He said: “Mr President and Distinguished Colleagues, Mr Urum is my constituent and he called to say, there will be a conflict of interest in his nomination as CBN board director.

“That he wishes to decline, while he has already informed the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

After contributions, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau who presided over the plenary confirmed the nominees through a voice vote: The nominees confirmed are:

1. Mr Robert Agbede
2. Mr Ado Yakubu Wanka
3. Professor Muritala Sabo Sagagi
4. Mrs Muslimat Olanike Aliyu.