Buhari’s Minister Allegedly Moves to Take Nigeria’s Slot in World Bank

Buhari’s Minister Allegedly Moves to Take Nigeria’s Slot in World Bank

By Nicholas Ojo

Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, the immediate past Minister of Finance, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, has allegedly hatched a plot to nominate herself for a slot in order to fill the position of an Alternative Executive Director in the World Bank, a position meant for the country.

Ahmed reportedly, deliberately circumvented the process using her position as minister to hold down the position for eight months to enable her nominate herself and foist a fait accompli on the World Bank Group.

An online medium, quoted Washington sources as saying that Mrs. Ahmed circumvented appointment procedures by nominating herself .

The report also had it that the World Bank had requested for the nominations of three economists for an AED position, several months before the end of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, but that the minister kept the letter to herself.

It was also alleged that the minister neither obtained President Buhari’s approval of her self-nomination nor the approval of the new President, Sen. Bola Tinubu.

However, a highly placed federal government source who is familiar with the World Bank system told Journalists that Mrs. Ahmed did nothing wrong in the appointment.

According to the source, “It’s impossible (for her to nominate herself). And she didn’t. She was validly nominated by the Ministry (of Finance) and President Buhari approved her nomination before he left.

“This type of nomination is routine as a former DG Budget was nominated at the twilight of the Jonathan administration and nobody made any noise about it. It’s truly unfair.

“The former DG Budget was nominated as Executive Director, African Development Bank.”

The source explained that the AED position is usually occupied by former Ministers of Finance (Governors of World Bank) or Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministries of Finance (Alternative Governor of World Bank).

He said, “Also, please note that the ED from South Africa was a former South African Minister. The position is meant for either former Minister of Finance ( Governor World Bank) or Permanent Secretary Finance( Alternate Governor World Bank) ,i.e. those familiar with the development policy issues and transfer of real resources to developing countries.

“And those who understand World Bank Executive Board issues and have helped in shaping World Bank decision making from the viewpoint of Authorities/member countries in recent times.

“It’s not a position for theoretical Economists who have not had any dealings with the Ministry of Finance in Sovereign member countries.”

Mrs. Ahmed is expected to work under Ayanda Dlondlo, a former South African Minister who is the Executive Director.

The World Bank Group, months ago had written a letter to the federal government requesting for the Curriculum Vitaes of at least three economists whi are qualified to fill the vacant position of the AED.

“The letter was passed through the office of the Minister of Finance who hid the letter, thereby denying the federal government’s input into the nomination process,” a source revealed.

“Another brewing controversy is in the selection of staff to work with her as she has narrowed the selection down to her aides when she was at the Ministry of Finance.

“Some of these aides are either too junior and in most cases lack the expertise and qualifications required by the World Bank,” the source further added.

A female (name withheld) who was at the Debt Management Office, DMO, a former director at IER, and two of her female aides are also considered as part of her team.

“The former minister will work out of the Office of the Executive Director (EDS25) known as Africa Group 3 Constituency, representing Angola, Nigeria, and South Africa.

“She will work under Ayanda Dlondlo, a South Africa who is the Executive Director (EDS25).

“The Alternate Executive Directors fulfill a dual function, as officials of the Bank and as representatives of the member-country or countries that appointed them.

“They have the full power to act for the World Bank Director when he or she is not present.

“The staff (members) of the EDS25 are committed to working with the 189 World Bank- member countries to present a consensus on development issues,” the source concluded.

Ahmed during her time as finance minister, in collaboration with her principal, former president Muhammadu Buhari plunged the nation into N77 trillion debt in both local foreign borrowings.