According to a 6 January 1992 Agence France Presse (AFP) report, the People's Bank of Nigeria (PBN) was "established in October 1989 by the government of President Ibrahim Babangida to cater for poor professional people and traders who, because of the stringent requirements of orthodox commercial banks, might not have access to loans." In 1991, the PBN Chairman and Managing Director were Mr. Tai Solarin and Mrs. Maria Sokenu, respectively (Europa 1991 1991, 2021). In January 1992, the Nigerian Governement appointed Mr. Ezekiel Oyeyipo as PBN's chairman to replace Mr. Solarin, who resigned "in protest at the government's delay in bringing to court senior bank officials implicated in a financial and corruption scandal" (AFP 17 Jan. 1992). In 1995, the PBN chairman and managing director of the People's Bank of Nigeria were Chief E. A. O. Oyeyipo and Mrs. Maria O. Sokenu, respectively (Europa 1995 1995, 2319). In 1992 the People's Bank of Nigeria had 200 branches located throughout the country and, up to 1992, had made loans to some 245,000 clients since it began its operations (AFP 7 Jan. 1992).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in English]. 17 January 1992. "New Chairman of People's Bank Appointed." (FBIS-AFR-92-020 30 Jan. 1992, pp. 26-27)

_____. 7 January 1992. "People's Bank Chairman Resigns Over Corruption." (FBIS-AFR-92-005 8 Jan. 1992, pp. 28-29)

The Europa World Year Book 1995. 1995. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.

The Europa World Year Book 1991. 1991. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.

Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in English]. 17 January 1992. "New Chairman of People's Bank Appointed." (FBIS-AFR-92-020 30 Jan. 1992, pp. 26-27)

_____. 7 January 1992. "People's Bank Chairman Resigns Over Corruption." (FBIS-AFR-92-005 8 Jan. 1992, pp. 28-29)