Business
Meet The Convener and Discussants of YIGGI
Published
9 years agoon

The Youth in Good Governance Initiative, Ogun state is ready to set everywhere ablaze On the 21st of May, 2016 as it presents a Life-changing Programmme tagged ‘Youth In Governance As Panacea To Nigerian Problem’. The Programme promises to lighten up the world of every youth and everyone that will be present with the set of the discussants who are role models in their respective field.
It’s 12days to go, it is going to be expository and educating. You can’t afford to miss it.
Save the date. May 21,2016 @NUJ HALL Iwe-iroyin, Abeokuta
ABOUT THE CONVENER.
Ifemosu Michael Adewale.
Ifemosu Michael Adewale, an indigene of Ogun State, is born into the family of Mr and Mrs Ifemosu, he attended his primary school at Bevola international nursery and primary school, where he was made the Head boy(2001), he later proceeded to Ijebu-Ode grammar School for his senior school certificate where he was made the Chapel Prefect(2008), He proceeded to Federal college of education, osiele, Abeokuta (2010), for his NCE program, where he graduated as an Agricultural science educationist(2013).
During his days at Federal College of Education Abeokuta, he engaged in a lot of activities, where he bagged a lot of certificate and award to his credit.
He was the Agricultural Science Student Association(ASSA) King between 2010-2011, he was two term Honourable member of federal college of education, Student Representative Assembly, Student Union Government between 2010-2013 , he was the Students Electoral committee (Seleco) Coordinator 2012-2013,he was given a merit award by National Association of Ogun State Students (Federal college of education, Abeokuta Chapter) in 2013, he was the National Assistant general secretary of National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS National) between 2013-2014, he was the National President, National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS National) between 2014-2015, as part of his dedication to the association, his administration is the first to ever release a gyration album which can be downloaded via inputing NAOSS Gyration on any search engines, he is currently the National Coordinator of National Association of Ogun State Students for the 2016 Electioneering.
He is a member of Kegite Club international, ilya Fatika, where he was made the Elder of the club between 2012-2013, he was awarded best Supportive Senior Fellow of Ilya Fatika between 2015-2016,
The executive Governor of Ogun State acknowledged the open letter he wrote to him especially when he challenged the Governor on the truthfulness of the 40projects commisioned during Ogun State at 40.
Ifemosu Michael Adewale recently made a bright effort when he took a case of a battered student of Abraham Adesanya Polythecnic submitted to him by RRA and consult, on behalf of National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS National) upon himself to ensure justice is done, the matter got the attention of Nigerians as it was published on various top Nigeria blogs and Newspapers. The popular Nigerian blogger Maiyeguns Diary published the story on the 19th of April, 2016, the Nation Newspaper and Punch newspaper published the story on the 23rd and 24th April, 2016 respectively.
Ifemosu Michael Adewale also declared his intentions to contest for the Councillorship elections in the 2016 Local Government elections under Ifesowapo LCDA, Odogbolu Local Government.
Ifemosu Michael Adewale is a prolific writer that an attempt to input his name on any of the search engines will surprise you.
He is currently the convener, initiator of Youth in Good Governance Initiative (YIGGI).
ABOUT OUR DISCUSSANTS
ISHOLA ADEBAYO, MANAGING PARTNER – LEAD RESOURCES
As a social-media techpreneur, Ishola Adebayo is the Managing Partner of LEAD Resources Centre — LEAD Resources Centre is housed at the Asero Housing Estate, Abeokuta; LEAD Resources is a social-tech innovation hub space in Abeokuta, which serves as a pre-incubation lab for technologists, social entrepreneurs, government, tech companies, and impact investors in and around Ogun State to co-found new solutions to the many social problems in Nigeria.
He is currently undergoing a postgraduate degree program (MSc) in Economics at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye and holds a BSc (Ed) in Economics from the prestigious Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. He served as a youth corps member at the National Assembly attached to the Senate Committee on Agricultural and Rural Development during his NYSC program.
DAMOLA MORENIKEJI
Is a social entrepreneur, and rising voice in education, youth capacity and leadership development in Africa with over six years experience in the development sector. He leads the team at All for Development (@All4Development), an organization he founded at age 16 in Abeokuta, with a commitment to building young leaders and promoting education, leadership & governance, social entrepreneurship, and youth participation in development.
Through All for Development, he had engaged thousands of young people through several initiatives including the Young and Emerging Leaders Summit, Pupil Leadership Programme, Studership (the annual international youth leadership academy), Youth Roundtables, Undergraduate Education Seminar Series and a host of other projects organized in partnership with other organisations across the country. These engagements encourage young people to further understand purpose and live right; serve as platforms and provide resources for continuous growth, education and development; build networks for leadership development and capacities for deepening positive democratic governance; encourage youth-driven social change – through social entrepreneurship –, and harness youthful strengths to optimize purposeful youth participation in nation building.
A 2013 Fellow of the Social Leadership Academy, USA, and 2012 DESPLAY Africa Fellow, Damola currently serves as a Global Youth Ambassador, with a commitment to improving the quality of global education, through advocacy. The Global Youth Ambassadors group, initiated by A World at School, was launched by the United Nations’ Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN Special Envoy for Global Education, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown on April 10, 2014 in Washington DC, U.S.A. His passion for youth development had been witnessed through his contributions at some platforms for policy development including World Economic Forum on Africa (2014), National Education Stakeholders Dialogue, representing Nigeria at the African Youth and Governance Conference (2012, at age 19), and as a Delegate at the Global Youth Forum held in Bali, Indonesia (December 2012), among others.
He co-founded the Innovate! Hub, a social innovation community that encourages value creation through social innovation/entrepreneurship among young people at age 21 and initiated Studership, the annual international youth leadership academy that connects and equips emerging young leaders at age 19. Studership has since inception enrolled over 100 young leaders from over 30 countries, while members of the Studership community are creating positive change in their communities. A 2013 semi-finalist for the Thiel Under20 Fellowship for social innovators, Damola led Team Innovate! of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and emerged one of the best teams in Nigeria and finalist at the ANEW National Ideas Contest organized by the Nigerian Universities Commission for all 128 Nigerian universities, in commemoration of the 2014 Global Entrepreneurship Week.
An avid writer and leadership/personal effectiveness trainer, Damola cut his tooth in creative writing after writing his first book titled ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child’ in year 2002, at age 9. He remains committed to helping young people grow through growth-inclined deliberations, and contributes to development through harnessing platforms for equipping young people to become better leaders and solve societal problems through civic participation and value-based leadership; promoting societal growth and acquiring professional experiences across diverse environments.
Damola is an alumnus of the International Leadership and Organisational Behaviour course offered by SDA Boconni School of Management, Boconni University, Italy; Social Entrepreneurship course by The DO School, Germany; and Adaptive Leadership course by Cambridge Leadership Associate, United Kingdom & +Acumen – among others. An alumnus of Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, Ogun State, Damola lives his passion for youth leadership and educational development, and is currently concluding his studies at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
He has been commended for his work with several prestigious awards, including a formal commendation from President Olusegun Obasanjo [GCFR]; emerging the only undergraduate recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s Productivity Award from the Senate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; pioneer recipient of the Ogun State Youth Award for Excellence, adjudged by the Ogun State Government of Nigeria (May 2012); Finalist for the ‘Life Changer’s Rising Star award’, United Kingdom (November 2011); ‘Integrity Practitioner Award’ adjudged by ICPC/NAVC, Ogun state (October 2010); ‘The Most Outstanding Secondary School Student in Ogun State (Nigeria) award’ by the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission (January 2010); and 2nd runner up, Ogun State 2006 Artiste of the Year Award, by the Ogun State Government of Nigeria (August 2007), among others.
RIDWAN SORUNKE
Ridwan Sorunke is the Public Affairs Lead of a reputable advisory services firm based in Nigeria, ACIOE Associates, a firm of management, energy, power, government relations and finance consultants. His position covers Government Relations and Public Relations for the firm. He has worked with different local and multinational organizations including the Procter & Gamble Company and Seven-Up Bottling Company. He is experienced in government relations, public relations, crisis and issues management, quality control, and business development.
At ACIOE Associates, Ridwan Sorunke consults for organizations like Corporate Council on Africa, Procter & Gamble, Albright Stonebridge Group and the Nigeria Government. He was a key player in the Corporate Council on Africa’s US-Africa Business Summit and the US Trade Mission to Nigeria where he facilitated business discussions between foreign investors and senior government officials.
Ridwan has engaged in businesses with top officials in the Nigerian Government, captains of industry and international diplomats. He has facilitated and led business discussions between his firm, leading investors in the country and Honorable Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He led ACIOE team to the Corporate Council on Africa’s roundtable discussion with the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Prior to joining ACIOE Associates, he worked for Procter & Gamble Nigeria where he was the Lead for Corporate Communications. He executed key projects like the Procter & Gamble partnership with 5 MDAs on the Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria (GWIN) Initiative. He led Communications and E2E execution of the P&G Hygiene Campaign which supported the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and Ogun State Government through the donation of over 50,000 bars of soaps during the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria. Other key projects include the School Health and Nutrition projects with Save the Children International. He also led various employee engagement initiatives, sustainability programs, and media relations for the company.
He is very passionate about driving investments into the country, empowering the local SMEs and the Nigerian youths. Ambassador Koby Koomson of Ghana described him as the “next big personality in Africa”. During his leisure, he volunteers for Akiode Foundation, a non-governmental organization in Ogun State, with an interest in youth empowerment.
He has delivered career talks to hundreds of youths in the country.
He has a B.Sc. in Microbiology from the Obafemi Awolowo University and has taken courses and trainings in business management, conflict resolution, negotiation, marketing and media relations.
WHYTE HABEEB IBIDAPO
He is a Solicitor and Barrister of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He is the Principal of Habeeb Whyte Legal and Co. He is a noble minded advocate who works hard to change the course of this generation with the power of the pen and words. He is a young, energetic lawyer who advocates for child protection and creativity amongst youth.
Habeeb has an impressive leadership history coupled with a fantastic writing career.
He is a force to reckon with in Nigeria, when it comes to youth, advocacy and child development and he has been greatly awarded by several organisations for his developmental contributions to the nation’s development.
Habeeb has bagged several international national and awards for his distinctiveness and proactive contributions. These awards include several awards for the moot court competitions; he won the United Nations Fund Population Agency (NIGERIA) International Poster Contest 2004 (KEEPING THE PROMISE): ICPD AT TEN. CATEGOTY III (13 – 15yrs). SECOND POSITION. (Reported in Gateway News & Views: UNFPA NEWSLETTER, VOL: 3, NO. 1, July Edition, 2006). Also the First Regional International Arbitration Moot Competition among African Universities, Lacio, Regency Hotels, Nairobi Kenya. 2011 (FIRST POSITION) reported by The Nation Newspaper on August 25th, 2011. Also reported by Compass Newspaper on August 24th, 2011 and The Tribune Newspaper on August 25th, 2011. The Coca Cola/ NBC The Nation CAMPUSLIFE Award as the PERSONALITY PROFILE REPORTER 2012. (This was reported by The Nation Newspaper on 6th of December, 2012 at page 30 – 32. Also reported by The Nigerian Compass Newspaper on 5th of December, 2012 at page 19). Coca Cola/ NBC The Nation CAMPUSLIFE Award as a runner up in PERSONALITY PROFILE REPORTER 2013. (This was reported by The Nation Newspaper on 19th of December, 2013).
He bagged the QuilPromasidor Second Runner-up for the Best Nigeria Future Writer, 2015. (This was reported by The Nation Newspaper on 25th of May, 2015) among others. Also, he was conferred with the honourary status of a Senior Advocate of the Union by the Student Union Judiciary of University of Ilorin.
Habeeb writes for most of the Nigerian newspapers and this has made him a force to reckon with in the youth circle. Top of his writings in the Newspaper has earned him meetings with great minds and top political leaders in the country. He has over 100 newspaper publications and most can be accessed through Google upon entering his name in the search engine platform. His writings skills have made him got recognition in the Youth sector in Nigeria, He has been adjudged to be one of the most influential Nigerian Youths. He was acknowledged by the President Muhammadu Buhari when he wrote him an Open letter upon assumption of office and also on his plans for the Nigerian Youth constituency in 2015. The executive Governor of Ogun State has acknowledged the open letter he wrote to him especially when he challenged the Governor on the truthfulness or otherwise of the payment of law school bursary during his stay at the Nigerian Law School.
In addition to his fantastic writing career he has at the moment nine academic papers published on various academic journals basically on law from topics based on human rights, electoral law, Islamic law and International Jurisprudence. He has also delivered three papers different symposium and summit all focused on the youth constituency in Nigeria.
He has featured on various radio and television programmes making submissions on things that can be done to better the youth constituency in Nigeria.
As a versatile youth, he has participated and contributed to a lot of events such as the Coca Cola NBC CampusLife Workshops, Building Bridges International Conference, University of Ilorin (2015), 1st African Students For Liberty West African Region Conference, 4th Annual Faculty International Conference on Security, Peace and Conflict Management In Africa: Options For National Integration In Nigeria Conference (2012) and the International Day of African Child Celebration, Abeokuta, Ogun State (2006). And recently he got endorsed by Dream Project Africa (A US based organization) to be among speakers that would be educating students across Nigerian universities on the constitutional rights of victims of sexual harassment and rape on Nigerian Campuses.
Habeeb recently made a bright effort when he took a case of a battered student of Abraham Adesanya Polythecnic upon himself to ensure justice is done.
The matter got the attention of Nigerians as it was published on various top Nigeria blogs and Newspapers.
The popular Nigerian blogger Linda Ikeji published the story on the 19th of April, 2016.
The Nation Newspaper and Punch newspaper published the story on the 23rd and 24th April, 2016 respectively.
As at now he is African Children Voices Ambassador (2007 – 2015), iCI-Hustle Nigeria Initiative Ambassador (2015), Gen Voices Ogun Ambassador (2014), Co-covener Legal Frontiers (2015), Editor Egba Youth Awards Foundation, Convener Egba Future Leaders Summit (2015) and Director of Programmes and advocacy Brain Builder International (2015) and Young Elites Foundation as Director of Sponsorship and Partnerships.
IFEKAYODE AKINBODE
He was born on the 28th of March to the family of Prince S.A Akinbode and Mrs J A Akinbode. He attended Our Lady of Apostles pry School, Ibara Abeokuta and later Macjob Grammar School between 1984-1990. He proceeded to OGUN State Polytechnic to Study Mass Communication (Broadcast Major). He started out early as Human right activist as an undergraduate and held several positions as Student Leader and rose to become chairman of NANS in Ogun Axis
He was also Secretary General of Ogunpoly SUG and Senator to NANS for 4 Years.
He led many popular anti Students Struggles and was detained severally by government security apparatus. As a professional Broadcaster / Journalist he worked in many Media Organizations and won several awards for outstanding performance
He was an Information Officer in Ogun State and he was an independent Presenter/Producer with OGTV and was Head of Presentation with NTA Channel 8 Enugu. On the Political front He was the Chairmanship Candidate of PPN in Abeokuta North in 2012 and served as Special Assistant on Youth Affairs between 2007-2011 to the former Governor of Ogun State (Otunba Gbenga Daniel). He is presently the CEO of Imperial Media.
Adebola Ayedun – Solate
She is the Publisher and Editor – in – chief of the reader’s choice magazine- PublicFaces Magazine a colourful general interest magazine in the south Western part of Nigeria. She is also the brain behind the prestigious M19 Ushers.
Recently she initiated an Empowerment programme for young female entrepreneurs called EVEPRENEUR.
The Award winning goal getter is the youngest publisher in Nigeria and the Ogun state secretary of Community Newspapers Publisher Association of Nigeria ( CONPAN )
She recently bags another international Award for VIBRANT ENTREPRENEUR IN ACCRA GHANA.
A product of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta where she studied Mass Communication.
Adejoke Somoye.
Adejoke Somoye is a graduate of Moshood abiola polytechnic, Abeokuta.
She is a freelance media practitioner, she pioneered the cultural radio programme known as EGBA DOTUN LAYE OBA ADEDOTUN.
For adejoke Somoye, the revitalization of Yoruba traditions, especially Yoruba language is her utmost priority.
She amazed and wild everybody when she launched her Foundation called Ewa-ede Caty.
The feat went viral and gained massive publicity through top leading news magazines, The TELL which featured about a four page interview of her visions.
She is currently the convener and initiator of Ewa-ede culture Foundation.if
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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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ST Team Lead, Trust Otorudo Allays Fear Of Permanent Restrictions On CBEX Trading Platform
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April 11, 2025
ST Team Lead, Trust Otorudo Allays Fear Of Permanent Restrictions On CBEX Trading Platform
ST Team of CBEX, CryptoBridge Exchange, has appealed to all their investors to stay calm after the recent restrictions on the withdrawal mode of the platform.
A message from the team lead of the ST trading platform, Mr. Trust Oturudo reads; “I trust you are all fine. I am fully aware that you are surprised with the happenings of recent in the ST Team.”
According to Mr Trust Otorudo, Head of Staff, ST Team, Africa “firstly the reason for season 7 rewards were; One of the major goals of the team this year is to ensure that every none VIP members earn at least 10,000 USDT per month while every VIP member earns 100,000 USDT.
Two, by May 21st 2025, the ST Team will be launching into the Asian market, in order to bridge the financial gap between already existing users of African origin and the incoming Asian team.”
According to him, these are more deliberate aim and plans to uplift users financially.
On why there are temporary modifications on how withdrawals are to be placed between now and April 15?
Mr Otorudo said; “remember the whole foundation of this project is hinged on a Win-Win-Win? You as an investor, CBEX the exchange provider, and ST Team the providers of the signals. But most people are focused only on their own benefit, many users immediately after they saw the bonus they greedily started placing withdrawals, such withdrawals are untoward as they will thwart the Win-Win-Win philosophy of the team.”
“Others immediately began placing unnecessarily personal trades just to increase their trading volume just to cheat the system in a bid to earn more.”
“But i can assure you that by Tuesday morning 00.00 hours UK time there will be seamless withdrawals.”
“Do not panic as everything is in place to make you benefit in line with the Win-Win-Win aim. Please remain calm.”
“As your team leader and the Head of ST Team Staff, Africa, I say to you: Do not be afraid.”
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VANGUARD AWARDS OLAKUNLE WILLIAMS THE ENERGY ICON OF THE YEAR: CELEBRATING THE TIGER OF THE ENERGY SECTOR IN AFRICA
Published
2 days agoon
April 11, 2025
VANGUARD AWARDS OLAKUNLE WILLIAMS THE ENERGY ICON OF THE YEAR: CELEBRATING THE TIGER OF THE ENERGY SECTOR IN AFRICA
BY CHINEDU NSOFOR
Olakunle Williams, the Chief Executive Officer of Tetracore Energy Group, has been honored with the prestigious Vanguard Energy Icon Award 2025. This accolade recognizes his outstanding contributions to the African energy sector and his visionary leadership in driving innovation and sustainable growth.
A Visionary Leader Transforming Africa’s Energy Landscape
Under Williams’ guidance, Tetracore Energy has emerged as a leading energy solution provider, boasting a natural gas portfolio exceeding 75 million standard cubic feet per day (MMScfd) for industrial use and energizing over 300 megawatts (MW) of power generation in Nigeria. His strategic focus on clean and cost-effective energy solutions aligns with Africa’s aspirations for a sustainable future, positioning him as a pivotal figure in the continent’s energy narrative.
Pioneering Gas Innovation and Strategic Collaborations
Williams’ commitment to innovation is exemplified by Tetracore’s recent collaboration with Dangote Cement to supply up to 400,000 standard cubic meters per day of Auto Compressed Natural Gas (Auto-CNG) for its logistics operations. This partnership marks a significant step towards achieving the goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG), highlighting Williams’ role in advancing Nigeria’s energy transition.
Accolades Reflecting Excellence
Olakunle Williams’ remarkable leadership, visionary drive, and consistent dedication to transforming Africa’s energy landscape have earned him several prestigious accolades both locally and internationally. In 2022, he was honoured with the Nigeria Domestic Gas Ambassador Award by the Nigeria Gas Association in recognition of Tetracore’s outstanding commitment to deepening domestic gas utilization across Nigeria. This was closely followed in 2023 by the Innovative Gas Company of the Year Award presented by the Nigeria Gas Investment Forum, celebrating Tetracore’s pioneering contributions to innovation within the gas industry. His transformative leadership qualities were further acknowledged in 2021 when he received the Energy Personality Leadership Prize for African Leadership Excellence, highlighting his role in reshaping the African energy sector. Williams’ growing influence was also solidified when the African Energy Chamber listed him among the 25 Energy Personalities to Watch in 2022, positioning him as one of the most dynamic leaders shaping Africa’s energy future. In 2023, The Guardian Nigeria further amplified his reputation by featuring him among Nigeria’s 50 Most Inspiring and Definitive Top CEOs in its Annual CEO Series. His exceptional contributions to leadership and corporate governance earned him the Professional Doctorate and Corporate Leadership Excellence Award in 2025, conferred by the Chartered Institute of Public Resources Management and Politics (Ghana). In the same year, he bagged the Innovative Sustainable Energy Provider of the Year Award at the Nigerian Business Leadership Awards (NBLA), organised by BusinessDay, for his strategic and sustainable energy solutions. Notably, Williams’ continental impact was recognized with the CHOISEUL 100 Africa’s Economic Leaders Award, celebrating his outstanding role in shaping Africa’s economic and energy landscape and affirming his position as a key figure in Africa’s development story.
An Illustrious Career Dedicated to Energy Advancement
With over 16 years of experience across the natural gas and power value chains, Williams’ career includes roles such as Consultant on the Energy desk at Deloitte Nigeria and leading Commercial Advisor at the Nigerian Gas Company Limited. His academic credentials include a Master of Business Administration from the University of Bradford School of Management (UK), and he is a Project Management Professional, Chartered Management Accountant, and Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants. Williams is also a member of several professional bodies, including the International Bar Association (IBA), Chartered Institute of Taxation (CITN), and the Institute of Arbitrators (UK).
Driving Sustainable Energy Solutions
Tetracore Energy, under Williams’ leadership, has significantly expanded its natural gas portfolio in alignment with Nigeria’s ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative and the country’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP). The company’s focus on projects that impact industrialization and energy access includes a long-term contract to supply up to 40 MMScf/d of gas to the Rongtai Industrial Park in Edo State and 60 MMScf/d of natural gas to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), supporting 34% of electricity generation to the Nigerian grid.
A Legacy of Excellence
Olakunle Williams’ recognition as the Vanguard Energy Icon 2025 is a testament to his unwavering dedication to excellence, innovation, and sustainable development in Africa’s energy sector. His recognition as a CHOISEUL 100 Africa’s Economic Leader and BusinessDay’s Innovative Sustainable Energy Provider of the Year further solidify his position as one of Africa’s most influential figures in the sector. Williams’ leadership continues to inspire and drive progress, earning him a reputation as the “Tiger of the Energy Sector” in Africa. The Vanguard Recognition/Vanguard Award further solidifies his legacy as a transformative and visionary force in shaping Africa’s energy future.
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APPRECIATING TINUBU’S PENCHANT FOR EXCELLENCE IN BUDGETING
Published
2 days agoon
April 11, 2025
*APPRECIATING TINUBU’S PENCHANT FOR EXCELLENCE IN BUDGETING*
By Okanga Agila
The Budget Office of the Federal Republic of Nigeria operates under the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. Over the years, the Office has witnessed numerous leadership transitions—often abrupt and inconsistent—leading to underperformance, infrastructural decay, and an erosion of professionalism. Leadership struggles and industrial unrest were further compounded by partisanship and blatant disregard for established procedures. Staff postings were dictated more by personal preferences than institutional needs, resulting in a disoriented system that drifted far from its mandate.
At its lowest point, the Budget Office had deviated from being a cornerstone of national development to a platform marred by inefficiency and weakened leadership. It became symbolic of bureaucratic lethargy and a conduit for underwhelming outcomes.
This dismal trajectory began to reverse when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, known for his knack for spotting talent and assigning responsibilities to the most capable hands, appointed Tanimu Yakubu as Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation. A respected economist and former Chief Economic Adviser to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Yakubu brought to the role the intellectual depth and administrative acumen needed to drive transformational change.
Under his leadership, the country has witnessed a marked turnaround in budgetary performance. Sound economic reforms and a focus on sustainable growth have contributed to stabilizing an ailing economy. A significant part of this transformation is attributable to a restructured and inclusive budgetary process that emphasizes team spirit, delivery, and responsiveness to the needs of citizens.
Yakubu has streamlined the budget planning and allocation system, ensuring that national resources are channelled toward addressing real economic gaps. His approach is both focused and people-centred, leading to strategic outcomes such as a reduction in inflation—from 34% to 15% in 2025—and a steady improvement in economic indicators.
Among his most notable innovations is the enhanced monitoring of projects, supported by the engagement of consultants to ensure cost-effective and durable implementation. These measures have built investor confidence and encouraged both local and foreign investments.
His reform agenda also includes a redefinition of agricultural investment. By opening up previously untapped opportunities and portfolios, food security has been bolstered through widespread bumper harvests, contributing to the reduction of food-related inflation.
The Budget Office, under Yakubu’s direction, has adopted policies that prioritize poverty alleviation and disaster response. Strategic reallocations—such as N120 billion earmarked for flood mitigation and support to public hospitals—have ensured that underserved populations gain access to life-saving medicines, including for conditions like tuberculosis and HIV.
Furthermore, Yakubu’s organizational restructuring of the Budget Office has significantly improved staff performance and internal coordination. His strategic foresight in identifying inflationary triggers and implementing countermeasures has helped stabilize the economy. Today, Nigeria not only enjoys steady revenue growth and increased foreign reserves (now exceeding $42 billion) but has also surpassed its oil production targets—reaching over 2.6 million barrels per day, with an initial boost of 130,000 barrels per day.
A distinguished alumnus of Wagner College, Yakubu anchors his policy direction on promoting fiscal sustainability, transparency, and accountability in public finance management. He is widely recognized for his results-driven, inclusive leadership style that inspires and empowers staff across the Office’s six operational departments and seven units. This collaborative environment has led to impressive improvements in the functions of departments such as Revenue/Fiscal Policy, Social and Economic Expenditure, Budget Monitoring and Evaluation, Human Resource Management, and Finance and Accounts.
By fostering interdepartmental synergy, Yakubu has achieved a high-performance culture. His strong communication skills and motivational leadership have unified the workforce, enhancing productivity and accountability at all levels.
Yakubu’s crowning achievements include the development of a forward-looking economic blueprint aligned with the government’s development priorities and the establishment of a state-of-the-art ICT Centre at the Budget Office. His commitment to staff welfare, transparent monitoring systems, and project tracking has ensured a more efficient and impactful budget performance across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Indeed, Tanimu Yakubu stands as a clear testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to excellence and meritocracy. His appointment has brought about a necessary transformation in the Budget Office, catalyzing economic stabilization and laying a firm foundation for national development and prosperity.
Okanga writes from Agila, Benue State.
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