Tinubu Swears in Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance

​ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday officially swore in Professor Taiwo Oyedele as the Minister of State for Finance, describing the appointment as a “vote of confidence” in the renowned tax expert’s ability to drive exponential economic growth.

​The ceremony, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, marks a significant shift in the administration’s economic team. Oyedele, the 50-year-old former Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, replaces Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

​During the inauguration, President Tinubu lauded Oyedele’s track record, particularly his leadership in crafting reforms that consolidated over 60 disparate taxes into a more streamlined, business-friendly framework.

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​“You are a very dedicated and highly determined individual,” the President said. “It didn’t take much for me to decide where you fit and where you need to be to further help with the economy. It is a very challenging job… but you are fit to be there.”

​From ‘Tax Man’ to Cabinet Member

​Oyedele’s transition to the Federal Executive Council follows a career defined by fiscal advocacy. Before his appointment, he spent over two decades at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

​A native of Ikaram-Akoko in Ondo State, Oyedele’s academic journey is often cited as a testament to professional excellence. He rose from humble beginnings to earn a Higher National Diploma (HND) from Yaba College of Technology, followed by a degree from Oxford Brookes University and executive certifications from Harvard Kennedy School and the London School of Economics.

​Focus on Fiscal Stability

​The President acknowledged that while Nigeria has seen glimpses of economic stability, the missing ingredient remains “exponential growth.” Oyedele is now tasked with bridging that gap.

​In a lighter moment during the ceremony, the President turned to the new minister’s wife, Mrs. Olaide Oyedele, thanking her for the sacrifices her family would make due to the “long hours of absence” required by the new national assignment.

​Oyedele’s arrival in the Ministry of Finance is expected to accelerate the implementation of the four major tax bills he masterminded in 2025, which aimed to simplify the tax system and provide relief to low-income earners.