Senate approves Oyedele’s appointment as Minister after screening

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Nigeria’s Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of economist and tax reform expert Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance, following his screening by lawmakers during plenary in Abuja.

The confirmation came after senators considered the nomination forwarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and subsequently approved it through a voice vote at the Committee of the Whole.

The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio after lawmakers deliberated on the nominee.

Oyedele’s confirmation followed a screening session that lasted over two hours, during which senators questioned him on his experience, policy direction and plans for strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal framework.

During the exercise, Oyedele described his nomination as a “call to serve Nigeria,” noting that his professional journey across the private sector, academia and public policy has been focused on fiscal governance and economic transformation.

The newly confirmed minister is expected to replace Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning as Minister of State.

Before his nomination, Oyedele served as chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, where he spearheaded efforts aimed at restructuring Nigeria’s tax system and improving the country’s revenue base.

The 50-year-old economist and accountant has over two decades of experience working with governments, multinational organisations and global corporations.

He previously spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), rising to become Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

President Tinubu had earlier transmitted Oyedele’s nomination to the Senate in a letter requesting lawmakers to screen and confirm him in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

His appointment is seen as part of ongoing adjustments within the Federal Executive Council aimed at strengthening economic management and advancing fiscal reforms.