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Senate will expedite action on Electoral Bill – Lawan 

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4 years ago

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Senate President Ahmad Lawan
Senate President Ahmad Lawan
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President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has assured that the chamber would expedite action on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill having concluded all consultations on the President’s response.

Lawan gave the hint on Tuesday in an address delivered at the start of plenary to welcome Senators back from the Christmas and New Year break.

He recalled that the Senate postponed discussions on the consideration of the response of President Muhammadu Buhari on the Electoral Act 2010 Amendment Bill in December last year.

He said this became imperative to enable the chamber consult with its counterparts in the House of Representatives and their Constituents, respectively.

According to him, the chamber would expeditiously look into the Electoral Bill having concluded all the needed consultations on the President’s response.

“Like we all know, the Senate and indeed the National Assembly worked so hard on the Bill. Having consulted, the Senate will expeditiously look into the issue”, he said.

The Senate President further assured that the upper chamber would continue to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the required support through legislative interventions to ensure that the Commission succeeds in the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

He said, “Distinguished Colleagues, Political activities leading to 2023 general elections have already started.

“This Senate should continue to provide the support that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) needs for successful elections across the country.”

Lawan also tasked standing committees to strategies on ways to effectively oversight Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government to ensure the thorough implementation of the 2022 budget passed by the National Assembly in December last year and signed into law by President Buhari.

“My Distinguished Colleagues, before we went on the recess, we considered and passed the Appropriation Bill on 22nd of December, 2021. That was the third consecutive time to pass the annual appropriation bill before end of year.

“The Bill was signed into law on 31st of December, 2021 by Mr President, to give the desired effect of starting the implementation of the Budget from January 2022.

“Distinguished Colleagues, I once again commend the Senate, indeed the National Assembly and the Executive arm of Government for working tirelessly to maintain the instituted January to December budget cycle.

“Distinguished Colleagues, as we all know the oversight of the implementation of the Budget is a critical function of the National Assembly.

“We must therefore strategize on effective oversight of the implementation of the 2022 Budget.

“This is going to be the last budget that would be fully implemented for 12 months in the life of the Ninth Senate. We therefore, need to supervise very closely”, Lawan said.

The Senate President assured that the Senate would develop a strategy of engagement with revenue generating agencies on how to make them achieve their targets and generate more revenues in 2022.

According to him, this would reduce the country’s dependence on external borrowing to fund critical infrastructural projects.

“Distinguished Colleagues, funding of the 2022 Budget is predicated on significant borrowing. Our country is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

“We have to construct and provide infrastructure, in all parts of our country because infrastructure is needed for our nation to develop.

“However, we do not generate enough revenues to fund the provision of such infrastructure. Until more revenues are generated, the country has to borrow and also resort to other sources of funding our infrastructural development. But we cannot continue to borrow endlessly.

“It is imperative that we need to improve on the revenue to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio. At about 8% Revenue to GDP ratio, our country is basically at 50% of what is required of the revenue to GDP of 15% for it to support any significant economic development.

“Distinguished Colleagues, the Senate will develop a strategy of engagement with revenue generating agencies on how to make them achieve their targets and generate more revenues in 2022.

“The Senate will ensure that we boost their revenue generating drive with a view to reducing borrowing for development of our much needed infrastructure. This is a major challenge for our development and we need to treat as such”, he said.

Distinguished Colleagues, the Petroleum Industry Act(PIA) 2021 was enacted with a view to providing better investments climate for better performance by the Oil and Gas industry. The Senate therefore,

Lawan underscored the need for the upper chamber to seriously supervise the implementation of the PIA 2021, so as to enable the country benefit from its passage.

He added that the Senate must continue to prioritize the Security and welfare of citizens as enshrined in the constitution, while urging Nigerians not to despair as a result of the security challenges confronting the nation.

On plans by the chamber to review the 1999 Constitution, he said, “Our Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution has done so much work so far.

“Working with their counter parts in the House of Representatives the report of the Committee will be presented to the Senate for consideration soon.

“The Senate will consider the report and the National Assembly will communicate to the State Houses of Assembly within the first quarter of this year.”

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Senate Confirms Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance

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4 days ago

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March 11, 2026

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Taiwo Oyedele
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The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the nomination of Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance following his screening before the upper legislative chamber.

Oyedele, a tax expert and former chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, was approved after lawmakers expressed confidence in his competence and professional experience. He is expected to replace Doris Uzoka-Anite in the role.

During the screening, Oyedele said his nomination offered him an opportunity to serve the country, noting that he had built his career in the private sector before advising the federal government on fiscal reforms.

He highlighted his experience at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where he served as Africa tax and policy leader with responsibility for more than 20 countries, adding that his work on international tax policy and economic reforms across more than 180 countries had prepared him to contribute to Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Oyedele also referenced his work as chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, noting that the committee had developed several reform initiatives, including four major tax reform laws recently passed by the National Assembly to modernise Nigeria’s fiscal framework and improve revenue generation.

He further emphasised the need for realistic budgeting, improved cash management and fiscal discipline, noting that delays in payments to contractors increase project costs and undermine trust in government, while reforms in tariff structures could encourage local manufacturing, create jobs and reduce reliance on imports.

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Tinubu Approves Posting of 65 Ambassadors, Sends Fani Kayode to Germany

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1 week ago

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March 6, 2026

By

President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the posting of 65 ambassadors-designate to various countries and international missions, comprising 31 career diplomats and 34 non-career envoys.

The ambassadors were earlier confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in December.

According to a statement issued by the State House, the postings cover diplomatic missions across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the United Nations.

Among the non-career ambassadors, former presidential aide Reno Omokri was posted to Mexico City, Mexico, while former Minister of Health Isaac Folorunso Adewole will serve as Nigeria’s envoy to Canada.

Former Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau was posted to China, while businessman and former senator Jimoh Ibrahim was designated as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Also among the nominees are former Lagos State deputy governor Olufemi Pedro, who will head Nigeria’s mission in Australia, and former intelligence chief Ayodele Oke, who has been posted to France.

Other non-career envoys include Femi Fani-Kayode to Germany, Fatima Florence Ajimobi to Austria, and Nora Ladi Daduut to South Korea.

In the career category, several seasoned diplomats were assigned to key missions, including Amb. Mohammed Mahmud Lele to Algeria, Amb. Abdussalam Habu Zayyad to Senegal, Amb. Haidara Mohammed Idris to the Netherlands, and Amb. Ibrahim Danlami to Kenya.

The statement noted that the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria) has already received agrément from the United Kingdom for Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu, who will serve as High Commissioner.

France has also granted agrément for Ambassador Ayodele Oke as Nigeria’s envoy to Paris.

According to the presidency, the ministry has communicated the nominations of the other 62 envoys to their respective host countries and requested agrément in line with diplomatic protocol.

President Tinubu also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately commence the induction programme for the ambassadors-designate and High Commissioners ahead of their deployment.

 

POSTINGS OF NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS

S/N NAME                        MISSION APPROVED

1.   SENATOR GRACE BENT: LOME-TOGO

2.   SEN. ITA ENANG: SOUTH AFRICA

3.   IKPEAZU VICTOR: SPAIN

4.   NKECHI LINDA UFOCHUKWU: TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL

5.   MAHMUD YAKUBU: QATAR

6.   PAUL OGA ADIKWU: THE VATICAN CITY HOLY SEE

7.   VICE ADMIRAL IBOK-ETE EKWE IBAS: THE PHILIPPINES

8.   MR. RENO OMOKRI: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

9.   HON. (ENGR.) ABASI BRAIMAH (FMHR): BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

10.   MRS. ERELU ANGELA ADEBAYO: PORTUGAL

11.   BARR. OLUMILUA OLUWAYIMIKA AYOTUNWA: TOKYO, JAPAN

12.   RT. HON. UGWUANYI IFEANYI LAWRENCE: ATHENS, GREECE

13.   BARR. CHIOMA PRISCILLA OHAKIM: WARSAW, POLAND

14.   AMINU DALHATU: UNITED KINGDOM, UK

15.   LT. GEN  ABDULRAHMAN BELLO DAMBAZAU: BEIJING, CHINA

16.   HON. TASIU MUSA MAIGARI: GAMBIA

17.   OLUFEMI PEDRO: AUSTRALIA

18.   BARR. MUHAMMED UBANDOMA ALIYU: ARGENTINA

19.   LATEEF KAYODE ARE: USA

20.   AMB. JOSEPH SOLA IJI: RUSSIA

21.   SEN. JIMOH IBRAHIM: UN PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE

22.   FEMI FANI KAYODE: GERMANY

23.   PROF. ISAAK FOLORUNSO ADEWOLE: OTTAWA, CANADA

24.   AJIMOBI FATIMA FLORENCE (F): AUSTRIA

25.   MRS. LOLA AKANDE (F): SWEDEN

26.   AYODELE OKE:  FRANCE

27.   YAKUBU N. GAMBO: SAUDI ARABIA

28.   SENATOR PROF. NORA LADI DADUUT: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

29.   BARR. ONUEZE CHUKWUJIKA JOE OKOCHA SAN: DUBLIN

30.   DR. KULU HARUNA ABUBAKAR: TUNIS, TUNISIA

31.   RT. HON. JERRY SAMUEL MANWE: PORT OF SPAIN, T&T

POSTINGS OF CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS LIST

S/N NAME MISSION APPROVED

1. AMB. NWABIOLA EZENWA CHUKWUMEKA: COTE D’IV/OIRE

2. BESTO MAIMUNA IBRAHIM: NIAMEY-NIGER

3. MONICA OKWUCHUKWU ENEBECHI: SAO TOME, STP

4. AMB. MOHAMMED MAHMUD LELE: ALGIERS-ALGERIA

5. ENDONI SYNDOPH PAEBI: OUAGADOUGOU-BURKINA FASO

6. AHMED MOHAMMED MONGUNO: CAIRO EGYPT

7. AMB.JANE ADAMS (NEE OKON) MICHAEL (F): KINGSTON-JAMAICA

8. AMB. CLARK-OMERU ALEXANDRA (F): LUSAKA-ZAMBIA

9. CHIMA GEOGGREY LIOMA DAVID: BAMAKO-MALI

10. AMB. ODUMAH YVONNE EHINOSEN: MALABO –E/GUINEA

11. AMB WASA SEGUN IGE: BEIRUT, LEBANON

12. RUBEN ABIMBOLA SAMUEL (F): ROME, ITALY

13. AMB.ONAGA OGECHUKWU KINGSLEY: MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE

14. AMB.MAGAJI UMAR: KINSASHA, DR CONGO

15. AMB.MUHAMMAD SAIDU DAHIRU: NEW DELHI-INDIA

16. AMB. ABDUSSALAM HABU ZAYYAD: DAKAR-SENEGAL

17. AMB SHEHU ILU BARDE: ACCRA GHANA

18. AMB.AMINU NASIR: ETHIOPIA

19. ABUBAKAR MUSA MUSA: N’DJAMENA, CHAD

20. AMB. HAIDARA MOHAMMED IDRIS: THE HAGUE-NETHERLANDS

21. AMB.BAKO ADAMU UMAR: RABAT-MOROCCO

22. AMB. SULU GAMBARI OLATUNJI AHMED: MALAYSIA

23. AMB.ROMATA MOHAMMED OMOBOLANLE (F): TANZANIA

24. AMB. SHAGA JOHN SHAMAH: BOTSWANA

25. SALAU, HAMZA MOHAMMED: TEHRAN, IRAN

26. AMB.IBRAHIM DANLAMI: KENYA

27. IBRAHIM ADEOLA MOPELOLA (F): COTONOU-BENIN

28. AMB.AYENI ADEBAYO EMMANUEL: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

29. AMB.AKANDE WAHAB ADEKOLA: BERNE-SWITZERLAND

30. AMB. AREWA (NEE ADEDOKUN) ESTHER (F): WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA

31. AMB.GERGADI JOSEPH JOHN: LIBREVILLE-GABON

32. AMB. LUTHER OGBOMODE AYO-KALATA (F): SIERRA LEONE

33. DANLADI YAKUBU NYAKU : KHARTOUM-SUDAN

34. BELLO DOGON-DAJI HALIRU: BANGKOK, THAILAND

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Tinubu Orders Suspension of Cashless Payment System at Nigerian Airports

Published

2 weeks ago

on

March 4, 2026

By

President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate suspension of the cashless payment system recently introduced at airports across the country.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this on Wednesday, March 4, while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to Keyamo, the President ordered that the system be reviewed to ensure it operates efficiently without causing inconvenience to travellers.

“He directed that we go back to the drawing board, suspend the present system, and perfect a system that will work perfectly without putting unnecessary pressure on citizens,” the minister said.

Keyamo added that the review may involve collaboration with the private sector to develop a more seamless payment framework. In the interim, a hybrid system will be adopted, allowing travellers with payment cards to continue using them, while cash payments will also be accepted.

The cashless payment system was introduced this week by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria at the Lagos and Abuja airports. However, its rollout led to long queues and delays, prompting the President’s intervention.

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