Revealed: How CBN top officials get N10bn bulletproof SUVs amid hardship

Amid hunger, hardship and inflation in the country, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, and his four deputies are lavishing in abundance, purchasing ulta-modern armored vehicles with jumbo allowances.

The CBN governor and his deputies were nominated and confirmed by the Senate in September 2023.

DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that Mr Cardoso recently procured six armored Lexus LX 600 2023 models for himself and four deputies at the cost of over N10 billion.

Insiders said each of the apex bank’s deputy governors Emem Usoro, Philip Ikeazor, Bala Bello and Sani Abdullahi, has taken delivery of one of the armored SUVs.

Sources however said the apex bank governor got two SUVs, to be used in Lagos and Abuja.

Reports revealed that both the governor and his deputies already have armored vehicles in their convoy before the procurement of the new ones.

Insiders further alleged that Mr Cardoso also bought about 20 latest Toyota Camry cars at the rate of N85m for the CBN management and the board members.

The jumbo allowances of the CBN governor, deputies

CBN insiders revealed that the governor and his deputies have allegedly jacked up their annual housing allowances to about a staggering 1 billion naira despite occupying official palatial residences in Maitama, Abuja.

According to the sources, they upgraded their international travel privileges from business class to first class at a time a first class ticket from Abuja to New York costs about 15,000 dollars.

The insiders said the governor and his deputies have also upgraded their foreign travel allowances, pocketing 7,000 dollars a night for a foreign trip.

Attempts to get reaction from the CBN spokesperson Hakama Sidi-Ali were unsuccessful as she neither responded to call nor SMS sent to her phone number.

DAILY NIGERIAN