Northern Groups Demand Relocation of Bank Headquarters to Abuja for Fairness

A coalition of Northern groups, including the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and other key stakeholders, has called for the immediate relocation of bank headquarters to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The call was made following a town hall meeting in Gombe State, with a statement co-signed by Comrade Muhammed Usman Deba, CNG’s Gombe State Coordinator, Comrade Habiba Isah Gaude of Voice for Rural Women, and Comrade Lawal Idris Lawantee, Acting Chairman of CSOs. The statement emphasized that it was unjust for banks to have their headquarters in certain states, leading to disproportionate benefits for those states at the expense of others.

The groups argue that as the Federal Capital, Abuja has historically served as a neutral and peaceful zone, free from ethnic and religious tensions, and should be the base for all banks in the country. “It is unjust for banks to situate their headquarters in certain states and allow those states to disproportionately benefit,” the statement read. It further urged Northern Governors, business leaders, and organizations to engage only with banks that comply with this recommendation in all financial dealings.

In addition to the call for the relocation of bank headquarters, the statement also addressed the issue of Nigeria’s land border closures. The groups highlighted the severe economic impact on citizens, especially those living in border communities, urging the Federal Government to reopen the borders to promote trade and reduce the financial burden on struggling Nigerians.