An aide to Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed has revealed that her nomination as World Bank Alternate Executive Director took place in October 2022.
Some interests had alleged that the minister hid the World Bank letter requesting for the nomination in order to serve her personal interest and that she nominated herself.
But her Media Adviser, Yunusa Abdullahi, provided the clarification in a statement last night.
According to him, former President, Muhammadu Buhari, gave approval for the minister’s nomination in April, before leaving office in May.
He said, however, that the April approval was with the understanding that Ahmed would not resume in Washington until the end of the administration in May.
The statement partly read; “It will be recalled that the position became available in October 2022.
“Mr President was notified and approval was got in April 2023, but with the understanding that Dr. Zainab Ahmed cannot report until after the end of her tenure as minister.
“Therefore, the former minister couldn’t have nominated herself and also approved such.
“I can, therefore, confirm to you that the former President approved her being the AED at the World Bank representing Nigeria.”
