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Oyedele’s Presidential Committee on Reforms seeks NEITI Partnership, Collaboration on Accurate Data, Revenue Transparency
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms (PCFPTR) have agreed to work in partnership and collaborate on deployment of reliable data, public disclosure to support ongoing governance and institutional reforms and public finance management.
Rising from an elaborate meeting held at the NEITI House Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji and the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele identified the importance of NEITI’s reports in the oil, gas and mining sectors and the deployment of accurate data as critical success factors in evolving enduring fiscal policies and tax reforms in Nigeria.
Receiving the delegation, the Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji remarked that NEITI’s key focal areas of improving Nigeria’s macro-economic environment, strengthening public expenditure management, structure, institutional and governance reforms to boost economic growth, create jobs and poverty reduction aligns closely with the mandates of the Presidential Committee.
According to the NEITI Boss: “With the combined forces of the Presidential Committee and NEITI, Nigeria would benefit from shared knowledge, skills, information and data that informs best economic reforms and policy making”.
He noted that NEITI is available to provide information and data as contained in the NEITI oil, gas, solid minerals and the Fiscal Allocation and Statutory Disbursement Reports and advised the Committee on the need to utilize the findings and recommendations contained in the NEITI reports to advance economic policy initiatives for the benefit of the citizens.
Dr. Orji congratulated the Chairman of the Presidential Committee, Mr Taiwo Oyedele on his appointment to undertake such a critical task and pledged the cooperation of NEITI to support and ensure the success of their national assignment.
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms (PCFPTR), Mr. Taiwo Oyedele commended NEITI for the work that the agency is doing in the extractive sector and maintained that such efforts are the reason behind NEITI’s selection by the Committee as one of the key Agencies to support the Committee with data and information that will enable it to deliver on its assignment.
He explained that the Committee has classified its work in three distinct categories including fiscal governance with particular attention to financial management, revenue generation, borrowing, spending as well as policy coordination at the national and sub-national levels.
Others were on revenue transformation focusing on improving government revenues through improved mechanisms for taxing oil and gas and non-oil resources to transform the revenue profile of the Country.
The Committee is also looking at oil and gas which is the core area of focus by NEITI as well as non-oil resources like the solid minerals sector which NEITI can support the Committee in the area of information and data.
Mr Oyedele further explained that the third pillar or mandate of the Committee is economic growth facilitation and competitiveness with focus on removal of impediments for businesses to thrive, growth, provide jobs and generate revenues.
Mr. Oyedele announced that under the first phase of the Committee’s work which he classified as the ‘quick wins’, it submitted a report with over 20 recommendations to the President, 3 of which have been fully implemented.
He highlighted that the Committee is in its second phase tagged critical reforms which among other things will require amendment of some existing Laws.
The Committee is already engaging the National Assembly and sub-national government on the issues that concerns them while the third phase will be on implementation and change management.
He hopes that the outcome of the Committee’s work will transform to revenue growth for Nigeria.
The Presidential Committee extended special invitation to NEITI to be its partner and co-opted NEITI into the Committee in recognition of the knowledge, competence and integrity of the agency in helping the Committee to streamline fiscal policies, optimize tax structures, and improve revenue collection mechanisms.
Mr Oyedele remarked “By harnessing data-driven insights and best practices, both entities will strive to create an enabling environment for investment, job creation, and economic growth.
Furthermore, the collaboration will prioritise initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and integrity in the management of Nigeria’s extractive resources through promotion and facilitation of participatory and inclusive dialogue with stakeholders, engagements and information sharing, building trust, promoting responsible resource management and combating illicit financial flows.
In reaffirming their commitment to driving meaningful change, the Presidential Committee and NEITI called on all stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, civil society organisations and the general public, to actively support and participate in these collective efforts.
President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The ceremony followed the Senate’s confirmation of Amupitan’s appointment last week after a rigorous screening session on October 16.
At the swearing-in, President Tinubu tasked Amupitan with safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and strengthening INEC’s institutional capacity.
“As the chairman of INEC, your nomination and confirmation reflect the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and legislative arms of government. This marks the start of a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I trust you will approach your duties with integrity, dedication, and patriotism,” Tinubu said.
Highlighting Nigeria’s democratic progress over 25 years, the President emphasized the need for continuous innovation and reform to maintain free, fair, and credible elections. He urged Amupitan to ensure transparency and public trust throughout the entire electoral process—from voter registration and campaigning to voting and counting.
Amupitan, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), arrived at the State House on Thursday dressed in traditional white agbada and gold cap ahead of the formal ceremony. He was accompanied by presidential aides.
During his Senate screening, the 58-year-old nominee pledged to restore credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process by prioritizing reforms, including strengthening the Electoral Act to resolve inconsistencies in election timelines and enhance transparency.
“We must conduct elections where even the loser congratulates the winner fairly,” Amupitan told senators, emphasizing the need to rebuild voter confidence.
He also clarified his neutrality by denying any involvement in President Tinubu’s legal team during the 2023 Presidential Election Petitions Court, stating, “I never appeared before the Presidential Election Tribunal or the Supreme Court for any party.”
Amupitan succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the sixth substantive INEC chairman since the commission’s establishment. He is expected to immediately begin the transition process at INEC headquarters in Abuja following his swearing-in.
Profile
Born on April 25, 1967, the 58-year-old Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau State. He is also an alumnus of the university.
He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.
After completing primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1988.
Amupitan earned an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989, following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.
He currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he holds in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).
Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014), among other roles. He was a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja(1996-2004).
Amupitan is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles(2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria(2013), Principles of Company Law(2013) and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
He is married and has four children.
Dangote Group has denied owning the truck that crushed a pregnant woman, a child, and six others to death in an accident in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The company issued the clarification in a statement on its X account on Wednesday.
The statement followed reports that a cement-laden truck suffered brake failure and rammed into traders and other road users.
Reacting, Dangote Group said the truck involved in the tragic incident does not belong to the group or any of its subsidiaries.
It added that vehicle registration records confirm the truck is owned and operated by an independent logistics company with no affiliation to Dangote Group.
“Dangote Group has refuted reports circulating on social media and in some online platforms linking it to a truck involved in a road accident in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
“The company wishes to make it categorically clear that the truck involved in the unfortunate incident does not belong to Dangote Group or any of its subsidiaries.
“Verified vehicle registration details confirm that the truck with Plate No. JJJ 365 XB is owned and operated by an independent logistics company with no affiliation to Dangote Group,” the statement reads.
News
VIDEO: Sowore Arrested at Federal High Court Premises, Abuja, After Meeting Nnamdi Kanu.
“The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the policeman said.
Police operatives have arrested former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Sowore was forcibly taken away by armed police officers from the Federal High Court premises in Abuja on Thursday, October 23, 2025, shortly after attending the court session of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore, who has been leading campaigns for Kanu’s release, was confronted by security operatives who insisted he accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the officers surrounded him moments after he exited the courtroom, refusing to disclose specific details about his alleged offence.
When questioned by onlookers, one of the policemen stated that they were acting on the directive of the FCT Commissioner of Police.
“The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the policeman said.
As of the time of filing this report, the reason for Sowore’s arrest and his current whereabouts remain unclear.
Credit: Punch
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