Adeyemi Okediran
On Saturday, May 13, 2023, a Facebook user, Mallami Adekunle Kayode made a post on his timeline, stating that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele has said he would be going to Harvard on a study leave which has been approved by the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.
The post reads: “I am going to Harvard on a study leave, already approved by PMB – Godwin Emefiele,”
VERIFICATION
N-VA extracted the claim, “Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele is heading to Harvard on study leave approved by President Buhari”.
A Google search of key words in the claim revealed that popular digital news platform, Sahara Reporters had published a news story regarding the study leave.
Sahara Reporters stated in the article that: “Emefiele has reportedly been granted study leave by President Muhammadu Buhari. This opportunity for Emefiele to flee the country before Buhari leaves office on May 29, 2023, comes amid corruption and terrorism-financing allegations against him.”
However, a report published by Legit quoted the presidency debunking the story. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu while reacting to inquiries on Sunday, May 14 stated that the Presidency was unaware of the purported decision of President Buhari granting study leave to Emefiele.
Shehu was quoted saying: “If the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has been granted study leave supposedly by President Muhammadu Buhari, this is unknown to us. It is also unknown to the President’s secretariat headed by the Chief of Staff.”
Meanwhile, there has not been any official statement released made by the CBN Governor and President Muhammadu Buhari regarding the study leave as of the time this report was published.
CONCLUSION
The claim that the President Muhammadu Buhari has granted approval for the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele to go on study leave at Harvard remains unconfirmed as there is NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE to corroborate it. It is however FALSE that Godwin Emefiele has said he will be going on a study leave as there are no records of him making such a statement.
