JUST IN: Senate Confirms Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance
The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Taiwo Oyedele as a minister in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The confirmation was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio after lawmakers approved the nomination through a voice vote at the Committee of the Whole.
Oyedele is set to replace Doris Uzoka-Anite as Minister of State for Finance.
His confirmation followed his screening by the Senate on Wednesday, during which lawmakers questioned him for over two hours before eventually approving his nomination.
Responding to questions from senators, Oyedele described his nomination as a call to serve the country at a critical time.
“With over two decades of experience working with national governments, multilateral institutions and global corporations, my journey across the private sector, academia and public policy has focused on fiscal governance and economic transformation,” the 50-year-old told lawmakers.
“However, this moment is not about personal accomplishments; it is a call to serve at a time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges as well as remarkable opportunities.”
President Tinubu had earlier nominated Oyedele to replace Uzoka-Anite, who was redeployed as Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.
Following the nomination, the president forwarded Oyedele’s name to the Senate, requesting lawmakers to screen and confirm him for the role.
Addressing the chamber during the screening, Oyedele expressed appreciation to the president for the confidence shown in him and described the opportunity to appear before the Senate as an honour.
“I am deeply honoured to appear before this distinguished chamber today. I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence reposed in me through this nomination, and I also thank the Senate for the opportunity to share my vision,” he said.
Before his nomination, Oyedele served as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, where he led efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system.
Appointed to head the committee in July 2023, Oyedele and his team spent more than two years reviewing and restructuring the country’s tax laws.
Although the reforms initially faced criticism, the new tax regime eventually took effect on January 1, marking the beginning of a new phase in Nigeria’s tax administration.
The reforms are expected to improve revenue generation, create a more favourable business environment and encourage both domestic and foreign investments.
