By Milcah Tanmiu

The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has clarified that there is no intention to move the federal capital from Abuja to Lagos. He addressed the recent controversy surrounding the relocation of departments from Abuja to Lagos by CBN and FAAN, emphasizing that this does not signify a move of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) itself.

Onanuga dismissed the misrepresentation of the situation, attributing the controversy to what he termed as “dishonest, ethnic, and regional champions.” He explained that FAAN’s move to Lagos, its previous location before being moved to Abuja in the last administration, is merely an administrative adjustment. He highlighted that Lagos, being the commercial capital and a hub for aviation business in Nigeria, is a suitable location for FAAN.

He stated, “The movement of FAAN will still maintain some presence in Abuja, as it is not a wholesale movement.”

Addressing the CBN’s move, Onanuga clarified that the relocation of some CBN departments to Lagos, particularly those dealing with commercial banks headquartered in Lagos, should not be a cause for concern. He argued that a regulator should be in proximity to the businesses it regulates.

Onanuga pointed out the existence of various parastatals not based in Abuja, depending on their mandates. He cited examples like NIMASA in Lagos, NPA in Lagos, and NIWA in Lokoja, emphasizing that opposition to the movement of FAAN and some CBN departments raises questions about the rationale behind the locations of other agencies not based in Abuja.