Tinubu swears in Oyedele as minister of state for finance

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance.

Oyedele was sworn in as a minister at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, March 16, 2026.

The swearing-in comes five days after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the confirmation on March 11, after lawmakers approved the nomination through a voice vote during the Committee of the Whole session.

Before the confirmation, senators spent more than two hours questioning Oyedele on his experience and plans for the finance sector.

Responding to the lawmakers, Oyedele described his nomination as an opportunity to serve the country at a crucial time.

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He noted that his career, spanning more than two decades across the private sector, academia and public policy, has focused largely on fiscal governance and economic reforms.

Tinubu nominated Oyedele to replace Doris Uzoka-Anite, who was recently redeployed as the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.

Prior to his nomination, Oyedele served as chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

In that role, he led efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s tax framework and helped drive the introduction of a new tax regime.

Although he was appointed to head the committee in July 2023, it took more than two years for the committee to complete the reform process and update the country’s tax laws.

Despite initial resistance, the new tax system eventually came into effect on January 1, marking what officials describe as a new phase in Nigeria’s tax administration aimed at boosting government revenue, improving the business environment, and attracting both domestic and foreign investment.

The Star