Tinubu swears in Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance, praises expertise

Abdullateef Fowewe

President Bola Tinubu has on Monday sworn in Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, as Minister of State for Finance during a brief ceremony at the Presidential Villa.

This was obtained in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy).

Speaking after the event, Tinubu described the appointment as “a vote of confidence” in Oyedele, extolling his professionalism in leading the Tax Reforms Committee.

The President highlighted Oyedele’s role in crafting reforms to simplify Nigeria’s tax system, broaden the revenue base, and foster a business-friendly environment.

“We are very proud of your knowledge, your simplicity, ambition, and excellence,” Tinubu said, turning to Oyedele’s wife.

“I congratulate your wife for standing up to our challenge of time management and long hours of absence. This is additional responsibility, and I hope you will encourage and support him,” he added.

Tinubu further praised Oyedele’s zeal and determination, noting, “Thank you for accepting to serve your country, especially for reforming the entire tax policy of this country that was obsolete and fundamentally against every progressive thinking. You are a very dedicated and highly determined individual. It didn’t take much for me to decide where you fit and where you need to be to further help with the economy.”

The new minister, hailing from Ikaram, Akoko in Ondo State, brings a robust background as an economist, accountant, and public policy expert.

He holds a Higher National Diploma in accountancy and finance from Yaba College of Technology, a BSc in applied accounting from Oxford Brookes University, and executive programs from institutions including the London School of Economics, Yale University, Gordon Institute of Business Science, and Harvard Kennedy School.

Oyedele spent 22 years at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), rising to Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader after joining in 2001.

He also serves as a professor at Babcock University and a visiting scholar at Lagos Business School.

The appointment comes amid efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s economy through fiscal policy reforms, with Tinubu acknowledging the challenges: “It is a very challenging job because we look at the fiscal policy and responsibility that come with it at the time that economic stability is being experienced, but without exponential growth. It’s always very difficult, but you are fit to be there.”