Abuja – The Central Bank of Nigeria has carried out a major shake-up of its top leadership, redeploying all four Deputy Governors to new directorates with effect from June 1, 2026, as part of an internal restructuring drive.
Updates on the apex bank’s official portal show a complete rotation of responsibilities across the four core directorates: Economic Policy, Corporate Services, Operations, and Financial System Stability.
Under the new arrangement, Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, widely known as “Dattijo”, moves from Economic Policy to head Corporate Services. He takes over from Ms. Emem Nnana Usoro, who is now posted to the Operations Directorate.
Mr. Philip Chukwuemeka Ikeazor, previously in charge of Financial System Stability, steps into the critical Economic Policy Directorate. Meanwhile, Mr. Lamido Abubakar Yuguda transitions from Operations to lead Financial System Stability.
The CBN said the reshuffle is designed to align leadership expertise with priority reform areas as the bank pushes to strengthen monetary policy delivery, improve operational efficiency, and deepen financial sector stability.
New roles, seasoned hands
As Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Ikeazor brings over 30 years of banking experience. He previously led Financial System Stability and has served at the helm of Union Bank, UBA, Ecobank, and Keystone Bank as MD/CEO. A University of Buckingham Economics graduate with Wharton executive training, he is regarded for his depth in regulation, risk, and governance.
Dr. Abdullahi, an economist with a background in development policy and governance, will manage Corporate Services. Before the CBN, he was Kaduna State’s Commissioner for Budget & Economic Planning and worked with the UN and World Bank. He holds degrees from Ahmadu Bello University and a doctorate from the University of Reading, UK.
Lamido Yuguda now oversees Financial System Stability. Appointed Deputy Governor, Operations in 2025, he was formerly SEC Director-General and has served at the IMF Africa Department and on the CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee. He holds an Accountancy degree from ABU, a Master’s from Birmingham, and is a CFA charter holder.
Emem Usoro takes charge of Operations after her stint in Corporate Services. An ex-UBA Executive Director and CIBN Fellow, her background spans branch operations, credit, and business development, with executive training at Lagos Business School and Harvard.
The changes reflect the CBN’s strategy of rotating tested expertise across critical functions as Nigeria’s financial system navigates new monetary and regulatory challenges.
