Charles Chukwuma Soludo is a Nigerian success story. A core professional in the business of macroeconomics, he graduated with first class honours. He obtained his three degrees and then professorship at one of the nation’s prestigious institutions, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State. Born July 28, 1960, in Aguata Local Government area of Anambra State, the professor of Economics came into national limelight when he was appointed the chief economic adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The following year, he was made the governor and chairman, board of directors, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Before then, he was an academic to the core, as he had never worked in any bank, or occupied any public post in the country. Today, Soludo, whose first tenure as the governor of the CBN would be expiring in May this year, has become an enigma of sorts, after he succeeded in changing the face of the banking industry in the country. From 89 banks in 2005 to 24 at the moment, there is no doubt that Nigerian banks would have fared badly against the effects of the global economic crisis were it not for the consolidation exercise carried out in that sector three years ago. The ordinary Nigerian on the streets cannot forget his name in a hurry, as the name Soludo evokes courage, brilliance, patriotism and achievement. To the international community, he is the celebrated African and global central bank governor who has also been appointed by the United Nations (UN) as a member of the commission of experts on the global economic crisis. Soludo is a consultant to a number of international organisations and institutions, including the World Bank, the

Soludo was one of the eggheads behind the success of the Obasanjo administration, during its second tenure. As chief economic adviser to the President, he was instrumental to fashioning the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy  (NEEDS), a policy framework for the Obasanjo administration. It was the implementation of the NEEDS agenda that got Nigeria a debt relief. More importantly, NEEDS also provided the direction for prosecuting the bank consolidation agenda. In recent times, however, there have been scathing criticisms of Soludo’s tenure by those who believe that his term as CBN governor has not been as successful as being touted in the media. He is believed to have stepped on a lot of powerful toes in his haste to revolutionalise the banking system and the economy. Another school of thought insists that the global economic crisis has exposed his biggest flaw: an academic who talks about theories most of the time. He has also been accused of abusing his position thus enriching himself. Against this background, he addressed these issues and more in an interview with our team led by Ademola Ogunlowo, editor, BROAD STREET JOURNAL; Tajudeen Suleiman, senior assistant editor; Oluchi Obiozor, staff writer, a