Udo Udoma: Budget minister

President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the director-general of the Budget Office, believed to have failed to carry out due diligence in preparing the government’s first budget presented to the National Assembly late December.

The budget had been a butt of jokes and embarrassment for the government, with calls that it should be withdrawn.

The fall-guy was Yahaya Gusau. He was sacked today.

In a statement today, President Muhammadu Buhari promptly approved his replacement. He is Mr. Tijjani Mohammed Abdullahi, a fellow of the Certified National Accountants of Nigeria, and a banker of repute with experience in managing public finance.

The new Director-General (Budget) is expected to work with the Minister of Budget and National Planning to efficiently deliver on the mandates of the Budget Office of the Federation.

President Buhari has also approved the appointment of Mr Ben Ifeanyi Akabueze as the Special Adviser on Planning to the Minister of Budget and National Planning.

Mr Akabueze who is the immediate past Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State, has worked in senior management positions in Citi Bank, Fidelity Bank, United Bank for Africa, NAL Merchant Bank, Sterling Bank and BIA Consulting Limited, among others.

He is Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers; Fellow, Institute of Credit Administrators and Honorary Fellow, Chartered Institute of Bankers.