Adamu Ciroma the historian who ran Nigeria's Central Bank

Late Adamu Ciroma

This Blog had published a story titled 'The Hood and the Monk'. Today our story is about the Late Adamu Ciroma. Mallam as he liked to be called, studied History at the University of Ibadan and graduated in 1961 in a class that had the late Ukpabi Asika.

An account by Kole Omotosho had it that Adamu Ciroma was to be made Managing Director of Daily Times and Aliko Mohammed Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. As the story goes, the error was committed by the Late Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed. When he was told, he advised both Aliko Mohammed and Adamu Ciroma to go learn their jobs as a 'General does not change his mind.' Aliko Muhammed, an Accountant according to Omotosho, instead was made Managing Director of Daily Times.

Adamu Ciroma had a different account. In an Interview he granted the Daily Trust, he said it was Shehu Musa Yar' Adua who offered him the job soon after the Coup that ousted Gowon and brought Murtala Muhammed to office. Though Yar Adua was neither number one nor number two in that regime, the fact he became number two after the death of Murtala Muhammed lends credibility to Ciroma's account.

In the Interview, Adamu Ciroma said that as Managing director of New Nigerian Newspapers, he had been made a Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria and had been studying the operations of the bank.

Furthermore, he claimed that with the quality of the education he acquired at the University of Ibadan, such a versatility was a non issue.

Both accounts are interesting in their own rights. However, it boils down to the fact that the Hood actually does not make the monk.

Much as I feel that the position carries a lot of expectation and requires a lot of expertise like a doctorate in Economics like Alan Greenspan of the US and Chukwuma Soludo of Nigeria, at the end of the day it boils down to teamwork and humility.

Teamwork to the extent that there are advisers and experts at strategic positions with the Governor leading the orchestra not as a dictator but a Chairman with one vote on the Board.

The Chairman has to be knowledgeable and humble enough to be willing to understand the issues at stake, ask questions and ask for time for further consultations if need be.

Adamu Ciroma was at the Central bank of Nigeria for two years from 1975 to 1977. That Obj found him worthy to be appointed Minister of Finance 22 years later, is a testament to his abilities and a vote for the quality of his education at University of Ibadan and his man management skills. 

He passed on 5th July, 2018, aged 83. May his Soul Rest In Peace. Amen.