Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta North) has condemned the recent termination of 317 workers from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and has called on the Senate to initiate a probe into the matter. Nwoko expressed his concerns over the abrupt nature of the sack and emphasized the importance of investigating the circumstances surrounding the mass termination.
In a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, Senator Nwoko criticized the CBN for what he termed a “too hasty” action and raised questions about the lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders, including labour unions, prior to the exercise. He urged the Senate to mandate its committees on Employment, Labour and Productivity, as well as Public Service Matters, to investigate the terminations thoroughly.
Nwoko highlighted the timeline of the dismissals, revealing that between March 15 and April 11, 2024, the CBN sacked 117 staff members, followed by an additional 200 staff members on May 24, bringing the total number of affected workers to 317. He noted that among those affected were directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, principal managers, senior managers, and some lower-level workers.
According to Nwoko, the letters issued to the affected staff cited the need to reorganize the organization for effective operations as the reason for the sack, but lacked specific details or reasons for the dismissal of each staff member. Expressing concerns about the potential compromise of fairness and justice in the exercise, Nwoko emphasized the adverse socio-economic impact on the affected workers and their families.
While efforts to obtain the CBN’s reaction to Nwoko’s claims proved abortive, a top source within the bank confirmed the recent layoffs, though declined to provide further details. Impeccable sources among the bank’s staff corroborated the sack, indicating that not less than 200 workers were affected.
In light of these developments, Senator Nwoko’s call for a Senate probe underscores the need for transparency and accountability in employment practices within government institutions. The investigation aims to assess the rationale behind the mass terminations, ensure compliance with labour laws, and evaluate the broader socio-economic implications of the exercise.
