Kingsley Obiora is a Nigerian banker who served as the Deputy Governor of Economic Policy at the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2020 to 2023.[1][2] He was the deputy governor under the former governor Godwin Emefiele until his suspension.

Kingsley Obiora
Deputy Governor of Economic Policy at the Central Bank of Nigeria
In office
16 January 2020 – 15 September 2023
Preceded byProfessor Joseph Nnanna
Personal details
Born (1976-03-06) March 6, 1976 (age 48)
Oshimili South, Delta State, Nigeria
SpouseRita Obiora
EducationUniversity of Benin and University of Ibadan
OccupationBanker

On 15 September 2023, a major news articles in Nigeria claimed that all deputy governors of the CBN mainly Folashodun Shonubi, Aishah Ahmad, Edward Lametek Adamu and Kingsley Obiora were removed from office alongside their principal, Godwin Emefiele.[3][4][5]

Education

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Obiora holds a bachelor's degree in economics and statistics from the University of Benin in 1999.[6] He proceeded to the University of Ibadan for an MSc in economics, and subsequently a PhD in monetary and international economics.[7]

Career

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Obiora was appointed as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on 16 January 2020 by president Muhammadu Buhari, and he was confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on 30 January 2020.[8][9][10] Obiora joined the International Monetary Fund in 2007, and worked at the European Department.[11] Between 2003 and 2006, he worked at the Centre for Econometric and Allied Research (CEAR), and from 2014 to 2018, he served as Special Adviser to the Central Bank of Nigeria governor, and subsequently joined the IMF again as alternate executive director between 2018 and 2019[12] He was also a technical adviser to the economic management team of president Goodluck Jonathan between 2011 and 2014.[13]

Controversy

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CBN suspension

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Obiora was removed from office in September 2023 alongside other three deputy governors.[14] President Bola Tinubu had ordered an investigation into the affairs of the central bank under the management of Godwin Emefiele and his deputies.[15][16] On 1 September 2023, it was alleged that Obiora had been arrested by the Department of State Security over investigative issues of CBN,[17][18] although he was released later.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "Kingsley Obiora: The Quiet Operator at CBN". This Day. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  2. ^ "The confirmation of appointment of Dr. Kingsley I. Obiora, Phd as deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria" (PDF). Nigerian Senate. January 2020.
  3. ^ Itsibor, Mark; Bello, Olushola (16 September 2023). "Tinubu Finally Sacks Emefiele, All Deputy Governors". Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Tinubu sacks Emefiele, deputies, nominates Cardoso as new CBN governor". 15 September 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Tinubu Finally Sacks Emefiele, All CBN Deputy Governors". Asorock.comn. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  6. ^ Tijani, Mayowa (16 January 2020). "PROFILE: The serial record-breaker who would be CBN's deputy governor". TheCable. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  7. ^ "President Buhari Nominates Dr Kingsley Obiora As CBN Deputy". 18 January 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  8. ^ Abayomi, John (16 January 2020). "Buhari appoints Kingsley Obiora as CBN deputy governor". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  9. ^ Shibayan, Dyepkazah (30 January 2020). "Senate confirms Kingsley Obiora as CBN deputy governor". TheCable. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  10. ^ "Senate Confirms Obiora as CBN Deputy Governor – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  11. ^ Okwumbu-Imafidon, Ruth (4 March 2023). "Meet Dr Kingsley Obiora, CBN's Deputy Governor (Economic Policy) who has been breaking records". Nairametrics. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  12. ^ "For Obiora, it's Round Peg in Round Hole". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Buhari Names Obiora as CBN Deputy Governor Designate". This Day. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  14. ^ "Tinubu sacks Emefiele, deputies, nominates Cardoso as new CBN governor". pmnewsnigeria.com. 15 September 2023.
  15. ^ Reporters, Our (10 June 2023). "Tinubu suspends Emefiele, orders CBN probe". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  16. ^ Onuah, Felix (9 June 2023). "Nigeria's President Tinubu suspends central bank governor". reuters.com.
  17. ^ Ariemu, Ogaga (1 September 2023). "CBN deputy governor Obiora reportedly arrested by DSS". Daily Post. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  18. ^ Chiejina, Nduka (1 September 2023). "BREAKING: DSS arrests CBN deputy gov Kingsley Obiora". thenationonlineng.net.
  19. ^ Chiejina, Nduka (2 September 2023). "DSS releases CBN Deputy Gov Kingsley Obiora from detention". The Nation.