Reps’ Deputy Spokesperson Hails Oyedele’s Appointment as Minister of State for Finance

Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has lauded the appointment of Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance, saying it would bring “renewed hope” to the ministry at a critical time for the nation’s economy.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday nominated Oyedele as the Minister of State for Finance, replacing Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been reassigned to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Agbese said the appointment came at a time of mounting concerns over the non-payment of local contractors and the lack of capital releases to MDAs — a development that recently triggered protests in Abuja by aggrieved indigenous contractors.
According to him, restoring confidence between contractors and the government must be treated as a priority, stressing that the Ministry of Finance plays a pivotal role in addressing funding gaps and improving cash-flow management.
Agbese expressed strong confidence in Oyedele’s ability to tackle the challenges, citing his track record in fiscal policy reform, tax administration, and economic advisory roles.
“Oyedele is bringing into office a wealth of experience in public finance and reform implementation. His track record speaks to competence, innovation, and accountability. We believe his appointment will inject fresh energy and direction into the Finance Ministry,” the lawmaker said.
He noted that the new minister’s background in revenue reforms and institutional strengthening positions him to help streamline payment systems, improve transparency, and enhance coordination between the Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office, and other relevant agencies.
The lawmaker added that the credibility and professionalism associated with Oyedele’s career would help rebuild trust among local contractors who have expressed frustration over delayed payments under the outgone Minister of State for Finance, Doris Anite-Uzoka.
“When contractors execute projects in good faith and are not paid on time, it weakens confidence in the system. We are optimistic that with Oyedele’s experience and reform-minded approach, we will begin to see improvements in fiscal discipline and responsiveness,” he said.
Agbese said the new minister’s appointment signals the administration’s commitment to strengthening economic governance and ensuring that public financial management aligns with global best practices.
“This appointment brings a new lease of hope to the Ministry of Finance. We believe the new Minister of State will work collaboratively with the economic management team to restore confidence, improve efficiency, and ensure that government meets its obligations,” he added.
The Benue lawmaker assured that the House of Representatives would continue to provide legislative support and oversight to ensure transparency in public expenditure and the timely release of funds for critical projects.
He urged local contractors to remain constructive in their engagement with the government, expressing confidence that under the new leadership at the ministry, steps would be taken to resolve outstanding issues and create a more predictable environment for local contractors to thrive.