President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday swore in Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, as Minister of State for Finance, describing the appointment as a vote of confidence in his expertise and dedication to national service.
Speaking shortly after the swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President praised Oyedele for his professionalism and leadership in coordinating Nigeria’s ongoing tax reform programme.
Tinubu noted that Oyedele’s extensive experience in fiscal policy and taxation had been instrumental in shaping reforms aimed at simplifying Nigeria’s tax system, expanding government revenue, and creating a more business-friendly environment.
“We are very proud of your knowledge, your simplicity, ambition and excellence,” the President said during the ceremony.
He also commended Oyedele’s commitment to public service, noting that his work on the tax reform committee had helped address structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s tax framework.
According to the President, the reforms championed by the committee are designed to modernise a tax system he described as outdated and inconsistent with progressive economic thinking.
“You are a very dedicated and highly determined individual. It did not take much for me to decide where you fit and where you need to be to further help with the economy,” Tinubu said.
The President acknowledged that managing fiscal policy at a time when Nigeria is striving for stronger economic growth while maintaining stability presents significant challenges.
“It is a very challenging job because we look at the fiscal policy and responsibility that come with it at a time when economic stability is being experienced but without exponential growth,” he added.
Tinubu also addressed the wife of the newly appointed minister, thanking her for supporting Oyedele through the demands of public service.
Oyedele, a native of Ikaram in Akoko, Ondo State, is an economist, accountant, and public policy expert with extensive experience in tax policy and fiscal reform.
He obtained a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy and Finance from Yaba College of Technology before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University.
He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.
Before his appointment, Oyedele spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where he rose to become Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.
In addition to his professional career, he serves as a professor at Babcock University and a visiting scholar at Lagos Business School.
His appointment comes at a time when the Federal Government is implementing wide-ranging fiscal and tax reforms aimed at improving revenue generation and strengthening Nigeria’s economic framework.
