President Bola Tinubu has appointed Tanimu Yakubu as the new Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, replacing Ben Akabueze, whose tenure has ended. Here are the key details surrounding the appointment:
1. **Background and Qualifications**:
– Tanimu Yakubu is described as an accomplished economist with a robust career in various roles. He served as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria from 2003 to 2007.
– He also held the position of Chief Economic Adviser to a former President from 2007 to 2010 and was the Commissioner of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning in Katsina State from 1999 to 2003.
– Yakubu holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Finance from Wagner College, Staten Island, New York, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the same institution.
2. **Appointment Announcement**:
– Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced Yakubu’s appointment in a statement on behalf of President Tinubu.
– The statement emphasized Yakubu’s credentials and previous experience, highlighting his expertise in economic planning and public finance management.
3. **Expectations and Responsibilities**:
– President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the outgoing Director-General, Ben Akabueze, for his service and wished him success in his future endeavors.
– The President expects Tanimu Yakubu to enhance the efficiency and quality of budget functions. This includes promoting fiscal sustainability, transparency, and accountability in public finance management to foster national development.
4. **Implications**:
– The appointment of Tanimu Yakubu signifies a change in leadership at the Budget Office, with expectations of his leadership contributing to improved fiscal management and economic planning under the Tinubu administration.
– Yakubu’s extensive background in finance and economics positions him to play a crucial role in shaping fiscal policies that support Nigeria’s economic growth and development agenda.
This appointment underscores the importance of experienced leadership in Nigeria’s public finance sector, particularly in navigating economic challenges and ensuring responsible fiscal management.