After a surprise leadership shift, the CBN has reinstated Jimoh Musa to a critical department overseeing Nigeria’s digital payments. What does this mean for the sector?
Musa’s Return Sparks Speculation on CBN’s Payments Leadership
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reinstated Jimoh Musa Itopa as director of its Payments System Management Department (PSMD), a move seen as a strategic shake-up in one of its most vital units. The PSMD plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, overseeing payment-switching companies, regulating agent banks, and driving cashless policies and open banking frameworks. Musa was previously reassigned to the Capacity Development Department (CDD) in 2023, where he was responsible for training CBN personnel.
A spokesperson for the central bank clarified the situation, stating, “For the records, Mr Itopa was unaffected by the May 2024 restructuring exercise. He was only redeployed from the Payment Systems Management Department (PSMD) to the Capacity Development Department (CDD) in November 2023. His current reassignment to PSMD results from the Bank’s ongoing restructuring.”
His reinstatement has sparked speculation about the bank’s confidence in the current leadership of the department. Acting director Oladimeji Yisa Taiwo, alongside key deputy directors such as Dr. Isaiah Ademola Adeleke and Dr. Bukola Akinwunmi, has been overseeing payment system oversight, compliance, and regulatory policy. However, industry insiders believe Musa’s return suggests concerns over the department’s capacity. “This development means there is a capacity gap in the PSMD and is a vote of no confidence in its current leadership,” said a source familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity.
3 replies on “Jimoh Musa Returns as Director of the Key Payments Unit of CBN”
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I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.