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.

By Bukola Olasanmi

Three years ago, Chief Festus Keyamo made a bold prediction. As the then Minister of Labour and Employment and spokesperson for the Tinubu/Shettima All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, he foresaw a landslide victory for President Bola Tinubu. Keyamo proclaimed that Asiwaju was not just a winner, but the chosen one, sent to lead Nigeria from bondage, poverty, and misery to a promised land of prosperity.

Like the ancient Nostradamus, Keyamo’s analytical mind dissected the demographic setup of the APC, previous voting patterns, and the triple split of opposition parties. He predicted a sure overwhelming win for his party’s candidate. Keyamo also saw tomorrow, foreseeing an unprecedented economic and social turnaround under President Tinubu’s administration. He envisioned a land where every citizen’s potential would drive national development, unhindered by ethnicity, religion, tribe, or politics.

A man of impeccable national and international stature, he envisioned a future where Nigeria’s social and physical infrastructures would undergo a significant transformation. He foresaw a leadership that would exhibit empathy, capacity, and the political will to implement innovative reforms, ultimately enhancing the socio-economic well-being of the people.

Keyamo’s faith in President Tinubu’s determination, capability, and competence was unwavering. He believed in the President’s vision and was convinced that together, they could drive Nigeria’s growth and development. As a fantastically brilliant and responsive leader, he took on the dual role of Minister of the Federal Republic and Campaign spokesperson with patriotic zeal. For him, this was an opportunity to showcase his skills in nation-building, setting a new standard for performance and responsibility.

As Chief Festus Keyamo took the reins as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, he came armed with a clear vision and a comprehensive blueprint. His five-point agenda was a roadmap for transformation, prioritizing strict compliance with national and international laws, infrastructure development, support for local operators, and human capacity building.

With his eyes fixed on the horizon, Keyamo set out to reinvent the aviation sector, driven by a singular goal: to make Nigeria a premier aviation destination. He forged unprecedented partnerships with foreign investors, international organizations, and corporations, creating a fertile ground for growth and development. Keyamo’s passion for air safety and security led him to champion legislation that enshrined international safety standards in Nigerian law. He spearheaded the ratification of 29 international treaties and conventions, paving the way for a safer, more efficient, and more prosperous aviation sector.

Keyamo’s savvy disposition and incisiveness led him to sign a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boeing Airlines. This strategic partnership aimed to stimulate the maintenance, repairs, and overhaul (MRO) of various facilities, reducing airline operational costs and enhancing capacity growth in aviation maintenance. Keyamo’s goal-getting spirit also ensured Nigeria’s compliance with the Cape Town Convention on dry-leasing of aircraft.

By initiating the documentation of the Practice Direction, he propelled Nigeria’s compliance rating from 49.5% to 70.5%. The subsequent signing of the Administrative Rules governing aircraft repossession further boosted Nigeria’s score to 75.5%. Keyamo’s reconstruction and upgrade of the Borno Airport transformed it into a full-fledged international airport. Meanwhile, the Arrival Hall at Lagos International Airport’s Wing E was remodeled into an ultra-modern edifice, enhancing passenger satisfaction and connectivity.

Chief Festus Keyamo’s finalization of the Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) was a masterstroke that catapulted Nigeria into the global aviation arena. This groundbreaking agreement paved the way for mutually beneficial international air travel arrangements, bolstering Nigeria’s international image and diplomacy. As a visionary leader, Keyamo’s international travels and engagements were a calculated effort to mainstream Nigeria into the global community. He forged lasting relationships, built trust, and fostered confidence across nations, redefining Nigeria’s narrative and promoting its image.

Keyamo’s approach to nation-building was rooted in an unwavering ideology of trust and patriotism. His dogged determination to drive positive transformation, even in the face of adversity, was inspiring. With an unshakeable optimism, he envisioned a Nigeria that would stand tall among nations, and he was resolute in his pursuit of sustainable economic growth and development. Through his deliberate actions, Keyamo drove practical reinvention in the aviation sector, demonstrating his mettle as a transformative leader.

Chief Festus Keyamo, a visionary leader, is driven by an unwavering determination to transform Nigeria into a global aviation hub. His proactive strategy is designed to facilitate international trade, commerce, tourism, and hospitality, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Bola Ahmed administration. Keyamo’s trailblazing approach has unveiled unprecedented horizons in the aviation sector. He spearheaded the construction of a second runway at the Abuja International Airport and the billion-naira NAHCO Export Processing and Packaging Centre, revolutionising cargo export capabilities.

With transparency and accountability as his guiding principles, Keyamo has fostered confidence among aviation investors, financiers, and leaders. His bold decisiveness led to the remarkable recovery of over $120 billion in stolen funds, a testament to his courage and unwavering commitment. A paragon of discipline and due diligence, Keyamo stands out as a champion of social change, nation-building, and human development. Undaunted by obstacles, he presses forward, driven by an unyielding passion to transform Nigeria. As a fearless and outspoken leader, Keyamo confronts pressing national issues with unflinching courage. His vision extends far beyond the present, forging a transformative path that will leave an indelible mark on Nigeria’s future.

Like the legendary Nostradamus, Chief Festus Keyamo has shown the uncanny ability to foresee and prepare for the future. His prophetic vision, coupled with his unshakeable determination, has enabled him to navigate the complexities of Nigeria’s aviation sector, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for growth and development. As a master strategist, Keyamo shares Nostradamus’ gift for reading the signs of the times, anticipating challenges, and seizing opportunities.

This unique ability has allowed him to drive innovation and progress in the aviation sector, leaving a lasting impact on Nigeria’s economy and global standing. Under Keyamo’s leadership, Nigeria’s aviation sector is soaring to new heights. With his vision and expertise guiding the way, the sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, innovation, and transformation. As Keyamo continues to lead the charge, Nigeria’s aviation sector is poised to become a model for excellence, a shining example of the power of visionary leadership and strategic planning.

*Olasanmi writes from Abuja

By Samson Ike

As the custodian of Nigeria’s vast hydrocarbon resources, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) which is expected to be the guarantor of energy security, the engine for economic growth, and the catalyst for industrial transformation has become a symbol of corruption, incompetence, and systemic failure, under the leadership of Mele Kyari. The latest manifestation is the NNPCL’s deliberate effort to stifle the growth and survival of local refineries, a move that has once again led to the reconsideration of Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.

Being one of the world’s largest oil-producing countries, it is expected of Nigeria to naturally be a net exporter of refined petroleum products. However, despite being endowed with abundant crude oil reserves, the reality is starkly different. Nigeria remains heavily reliant on imported refined products to meet the domestic energy needs of the country. This dependency is not a result of natural constraints but man-made, a consequence of institutional sabotage and deliberate policy failures that were orchestrated by the NNPCL under Mele Kyari’s Leadership. One that could be tagged: “the NNPCL anti-local refinery agenda,” a gross betrayal of National interest.

However, one of the most conspicuous examples of this sabotage is the recent suspension of the naira-for-crude deal with Dangote, BUA, and other local refineries. This policy is not only absurd but also economically untenable. It defies logic for local refineries, which are supposed to be the backbone of Nigeria’s energy security, to be subjected to the vagaries of foreign exchange markets to access crude oil produced within the country. It is an incontrovertible absurdity.

It is important to understand that the NNPCL’s deal allowed local refineries to pay for crude oil in naira while servicing the needs of the general populace. A continuation of this deal would be a lifeline for these refineries, a move which would help in their finance management, and enable them to bypass the dollar scarcity that has plagued Nigeria’s economy. The decision to suspend this deal, however, is a clear indication that the NNPCL is more interested in frustrating local refineries than in supporting them.

With this decision made, the NNPCL has effectively pulled the rug from under the feet of local refineries, leaving them at the mercy of a volatile foreign exchange market. This move is not just ill-advised; it is a deliberate act of economic sabotage. This decision, shrouded in secrecy and driven by questionable motives, is a betrayal of the Nigerian people and a slap in the face of a nation striving for self-sufficiency in its energy sector. It is time to ask: What does the NNPCL want again? And why does it seem hell-bent on frustrating the growth of local refineries?

The tenure of Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL has been a complete disaster over the years. The NNPCL has been a definition for corruption, inefficiency, and mismanagement under his leadership. With all the recent happenings in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, one can easily come to a verifiable conclusion that Kyari’s incompetence is very much evident in the fact that, despite the billions of dollars spent on the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries, not a single one has been brought back to full operational capacity, and the much-touted revival of Nigeria’s indigenous refineries remains a pipe dream, a mirage that continues to elude the Nigerian people.

For the Tinubu-led administration, Kyari remains an inherited bane from the previous administration, and he must be flushed for the sector to be healthy. His corruption is very glaring. His leadership has been known for a series of scandals, including the infamous importation of adulterated petroleum products, subsidy fraud, and the mismanagement of crude oil swap deals. These scandals have not only cost Nigeria billions of dollars in lost revenue but have also exposed the people of Nigeria to serious health hazards like respiratory diseases and other health problems.

On a scrutiny of the NNPCL’s policies, it appears very meticulously orchestrated to thwart the progress of local refineries for a particular hidden agenda. The dollar-denominated crude procurement, which the local refineries are compelled to engage in, would exacerbate their operational cost leading to a financial strain, and rendering them less competitive. This NNPCL’s strategy ostensibly perpetuates Nigeria’s dependency on imported petroleum products, thereby sustaining the lucrative corrupt profits made on importation by some high-level cabals.

Furthermore, the NNPCL’s anti-local refinery policies are a medium to stifle the growth of Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity, thereby depriving the country of the economic benefits that would accrue from a robust local refining industry. Undoubtedly, it is general knowledge that the establishment of local refineries would create thousands of jobs, stimulate economic growth, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported products. Yet, under Kyari’s leadership, the NNPCL has done everything in its power to frustrate the efforts of local refineries to achieve these objectives.

It is clear that Kyari’s continued leadership in the NNPCL is untenable, and the crescendo of discontent has culminated in vehement calls for his resignation. His leadership is a disaster to Nigeria’s global status, and his continued presence at the helm of the NNPCL is a threat to the nation’s economic and energy security.

Therefore, to avert further catastrophe, it is obvious that the NNPCL must replace its present leader with someone who will institute comprehensive reforms, prioritise the revitalisation of local refineries, and eradicate the pervasive corruption that has stymied progress in protecting Nigeria’s national interest. It needs a leader who will ensure that Nigeria’s vast hydrocarbon resources are used to benefit the Nigerian people, rather than being squandered through corruption and mismanagement.

As it stands, the NNPCL’s war against local refineries is a betrayal of Nigeria’s national interest and evidence of the failure of Mele Kyari’s leadership. Under his watch, the NNPCL has become a tool for economic sabotage, a vehicle for corruption, and a symbol of incompetence. The policies made under Kyari have systematically undermined the viability of local refineries, perpetuated economic dependency on fuel imports, and engendered widespread corruption. We ask ourselves, of what use is a leader, without evidential growth and progress to show for his work?

What many Nigerians don’t understand is this: our indigenous refineries are not only competent, they are also fully capable of meeting domestic demands, and they have demonstrated their capacity to compete on a global scale if given the necessary support. The suspension of the naira-for-crude deal is a calculated move to cause a financial strain for the refineries’ operators and a direct attack on the refineries’ viability. The message is clear: the NNPCL does not want Nigeria to refine its crude. If urgent steps are not taken to reverse this catastrophic decision, Nigeria will once again in no time be plunged into an era of crippling fuel scarcity, unbearable pump prices, and unnecessary reliance on foreign refiners.

The exigency of this situation necessitates Mele Kyari’s immediate resignation and the implementation of reforms to salvage Nigeria’s refining industry. Kyari’s resignation is not just a matter of honour; it is a necessity for the survival of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Only then can Nigeria hope to achieve energy security, economic growth, and industrial transformation. The clarion call for accountability and transparency must resonate across all strata of governance to restore the integrity of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The time for change is now. The time for accountability is now. Nigerians deserve transparency and justice. Mele Kyari must go.

Ike PhD wrote this piece from Zaria, Kaduna State.