Workers at the former headquarters of Nigeria’s apex bank in Lagos today started moving out of their office, parts of which were gutted by fire last Tuesday evening, March 25.

The relocation follows an order by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Acting Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Sarah Alade, who was in Lagos a day after the fire to inspect the extent of damage.

Though the fire affected only the first floor of the five-storey building before it was put out by a combined team of fire fighters from the CBN and other institutions, the Acting Governor decided it would be risky for staff to continue to use the building.

“She has ordered staff, starting with those whose offices were directly affected by the fire, to move and start making use of the nearby ultra-modern 22-storey new office complex completed in August last year but yet to be put to use as it had not been furnished,” a competent source told News Express.

The source said Dr. Alade gave today as the deadline to start the relocation and immediately set up a task force to implement her directive.

“The task force spent the past five days, including the weekend, to ensure that the Acting Governor’s directive is carried out,” the source disclosed.

The burnt building stopped serving as CBN’s headquarters following the relocation of Nigeria’s capital from Lagos to Abuja.

•Photo shows CBN Acting Governor, Dr. Sarah Alade.