Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, has been accused of nominating herself to fill the position of an Alternative Executive Director (AED) in the World Bank, a position meant for the country.
According to a report by World Street Journal, Ahmed 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.
By her action, the report said, Nigeria was been denied the opportunity to present a qualified person with an Economic background to fill the position.
This, she consciously did in preparation to resumption of office anytime soon, consequent upon the formalisation of her appointment without recourse to the federal government.
The World Bank Group, months ago had written a letter to the federal government requesting for the Curriculum Vitaes of at least three economists who are qualified to fill the vacant position of the AED.
The WSJ quoted the source to have revealed that “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”.
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.
