About CBN

Board of the CBN

Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi
Deputy Governor, Economic Policy Directorate - Since 10/5/2023

Muhammad Sani Abdullahi assumed duty as a Deputy Governor in the Central Bank of Nigeria on October 5, 2023. He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2002, obtaining a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) Honours degree in Economics. He also obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Development Economics and Policy from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2009 and 2007 respectively.  He has certifications in sustainable Development, advanced Project Management, Public Finance, Microsoft, Good Governance, and anti-corruption.

Before his appointment, he held critical roles in the government of Kaduna State, including serving as the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget for over five years and later as the Chief of Staff to the State Governor. In these capacities, he designed, coordinated, and implemented government policies across various sectors. He also served as the Chairman of the Infrastructure Council. His leadership extended to coordinating economic and social infrastructure projects across all 23 Local Governments in the State.

His career spans the private sector, where he specialised in credit and risk management at Ecobank Nigeria Limited, and the public and international development sector. As a development economist, he held the position of a member of the World Bank Expert Advisory Council. He also served as a Policy Adviser at the Executive Office of the then United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in New York.

Earlier in his career, he worked as a Senior Economist at the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)-United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In that position, he assisted in economic policy formulation and management of the Conditional Grants Scheme. He also helped in the effective targeting and management of Debt Relief towards the achievement of the MDGs.

Mr. Abdullahi also worked for organisations such as Athal Consulting, the Carter Centre, and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

See List of Retired Board Members
See List of Serving Board Members
See Past and Present Governors of the CBN
See Frequently Asked Questions about the CBN Board

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