Dare Babalola
The Senate has given its confirmation to the appointment of Taiwo Oyedele as a minister-designate in the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, announced the confirmation following a voice vote clearance by lawmakers sitting as the Committee of the Whole.
Oyedele is expected to replace Mrs Doris Uzoka-Anite as Minister of State for Finance.
The confirmation follows his screening by lawmakers on Wednesday, during which he was cleared for the position, having previously served as chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.
Senators spent over two hours grilling the nominee before eventually confirming him as a minister-designate.
Answering questions from the lawmakers, Oyedele described his nomination as the Minister of State for Finance as a call to serve Nigeria.
“With over two decades of experience working with national governments, multilateral institutions, and global corporations, my journey across the private sector, academia, and public policy has focused on fiscal governance and economic transformation,” the 50-year-old told senators.
“However, this moment is not about personal accomplishments; it is a call to serve at a critical time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and remarkable opportunities.”
President Bola Tinubu nominated Oyedele to replace Doris Uzoka-Anite, who was moved to serve as the minister of Budget and National Planning (state).
Days after his nomination, President Tinubu forwarded his name to the Red Chamber, seeking the lawmakers’ confirmation.
At the event, Oyedele praised Tinubu for nominating him as a minister and tagged his appearance before the Senate as an honour.
“I am deeply honoured to appear before this distinguished chamber today. I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence reposed in me through this nomination, and I thank the Senate for the opportunity to share my vision,” the public policy expert, accountant, and economist told the lawmakers.
