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FCTA: Olusade Adesola Bows Out Of Service.

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When the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, they wandered 40 years in the wilderness.  This was seen as a time of purification and preparation for their entry into the promised land. 
As it was then, so it is now, as Olusade Adesola retires on January 29 after 40 months in the saddle as Permanent Secretary, FCT Administration (FCTA), thus successfully completing his 35 years of service to his fatherland.
For Olusade Adesola, the purification and preparation into another promised land began at the weekend when a surprise send-forth was organized by staff of the FCTA where torrents of tributes poured in from Directors, other staff, friends and well-wishers.
Mr. Adesola remains the unapologetic civil service reformist in FCTA and may likely be the last since the adoption of a Commission is imminent under the administration of the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesome Wike.

This means the exit of Mr. Adesola from office will mark the end of a long era where one Permanent Secretary used to oversee the entire FCTA bureaucracy. This is because hopes are very high over the commencement of a Commission that is expected to usher in an entirely new era where new Permanent Secretaries may emerge and civil servants of all levels can rise to the peak of their careers as Permanent Secretaries.
Mr. Olusade assumed office in the FCTA where he last served as a Federal Permanent Secretary upon redeployment from the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
He started work on September 2, 2020 at the peak of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, a time the whole of FCT and the country at large was locked down as a last measure to prevent the further spread which was wrecking havoc across the land.

His critical assignment with then Minister, Mal. Muhammad Musa Bello and Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu, was to put on their thinking caps to rid the FCT of the rampaging diseases.

And as usual with doers of good, he faced backlash from his traducers and critics who wrongly received the message of his civil service reforms and went wild launching calculated campaigns of character assassination to impugn his image.
He was also criticized for cutting down training funds for staff, a move, the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) bitterly complained on behalf of staff.

To list some of his numerous achievements, Mr. Adesola served in the Think-tank Committee that coordinated the handing over of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to incumbent President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

He deployed Citizens Engagement Application (www.myfctagov.ng) through the Department of Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement (RC&SI) which is promoting inclusiveness in governance today.

The outgoing Perm. Sec. also chaired the review of the Public Service Rules (PSR) and Financial Regulations for the Civil Service and introduced a number of novel provisions in accordance with the vision of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation which includes the incorporation of Performance Management System for Annual Performance Review and the introduction of paternity leave and other sundry developments.

He introduced and sustained Quarterly Revenue Review meetings in FCTA with revenue generating agencies up to Wednesday January 24, 2024 and the effects can be seen in the marginal revenue increase in the Internally Generated Revenue of FCTA which peaked at over N230 billion at the end of December 31. 2023 when compared to N150b in 2022, N124b in 2021 and N102b in 2020.
He also harmonized revenue collection from the six area councils into the FCT-Inland Revenue Service.

When FCTA staff were grumbling about cutting down their regular training which was being done through the ugly old practice of man-knows-man bases, he organized trainings for over 3000 staff of FCTA on basic digital skills to meet the digitalization efforts of the administration by 2025 when the dealings of government files are expected to be fully digitalized and computerized.

Adesola also harmonized revenue collection from the six Area Councils into the FCT-Inland Revenue Service which succeeded in eliminating the need for consultants thus saving taxpayers’ resources.

He mandated the digitalization of the operations of the Department of Roads Traffic Services (DRTS) just as the new Park and Pay Policy is smoothly running in an effort to boost FCTA’s IGR.

The promotion of staff as at and when due with payment of their promotion benefits has now become the norm in FCTA against a practice where staff were owed years of promotion sometime in the past.

Within his 40 months as Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr. Olusade Adesola is credited with wide and far reaching reforms that earned him the fond name of the ‘Gentle Giant’ from his admirers.

It is little wonder then that at his valedictory meetings with the FCT Council of Traditional Chiefs and JUAC, HRH, Alh. Adamu Baba Yunusa, who is the Onah of Abaji and Chairman of FCT Council of Chiefs, agreed with the JUAC President, Comrade Oluwakorede Matilokure, that Mr. Olusade Adesola is the first Permanent Secretary to ever announce his departure from FCTA.

In his tribute, Dr. Samuel U. Atang who spoke on behalf of all Senior Management Staff said Mr. Adesola impacted positively on him and other staff in the course of his time as Permanent Secretary.

Born on March 18, 1964 to late Pa Rueben B. Adesola in present Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, South-West Nigeria, Adesola Olusade, who is happily married and blessed with four children, is a proud recipient of the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger, OON.

The hand over process to an Acting Permanent Secretary is expected to be completed January 29, 2024 at exactly 12:00 pm prompt just as he will pack his bags and return back to his house as a Volunteer Ambassador for Peace in his quiet and private life.

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Official Disclaimer Notice  From The Honourable  Minister  Of State For  Finance , DR. Doris Uzoka -Anite

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It has come to our attention that a fraudulent website — lankantamil.com — is falsely using the name, image, and identity of Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Honourable Minister of State for Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in an attempt to mislead the public.

We state categorically that Dr. Uzoka-Anite has no affiliation whatsoever with the aforementioned website or any content being circulated in her name through that channel. The materials therein are entirely unauthorised, deceptive, and intended to misinform the public.

This is a case of digital impersonation and fraud, and the matter has already been reported to the appropriate law enforcement and cybersecurity authorities for investigation and takedown action.

Members of the public are strongly advised to:

Disregard any information, videos, or links associated with this website;

Avoid clicking on or sharing the fraudulent content;

Report such activity immediately to digital platforms or relevant agencies.

The Honourable Minister remains committed to transparent public service and official communication through verifiable and authorised channels only.

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NIgeria’s External  Borrowing Plan For 2024 -2026

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On May 27, 2025, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, formally requested the approval of the 2024 – 2026 External Borrowing Rolling Plan from the National Assembly. This press release 

provides context and clarification on the purpose and significance of the request.

The proposed Borrowing Rolling Plan is an essential component of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) in accordance with both the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the DMO Act 2003. The Plan outlines the external borrowing framework for both the federal and sub-national governments over a three-year period, accompanied by five detailed appendices on the projects, terms and conditions, implementation period, etc. By adopting a structured, forward-looking approach, the plan facilitates comprehensive financial planning and avoids the inefficiencies of ad hoc or reactive borrowing practices. This strategic method enhances Nigeria’s ability to implement effective fiscal policies and mobilize development resources. 

The borrowing plan does not equate to actual borrowing for the period. The actual borrowing for each year is contained in the annual budget. In 2025, the external borrowing component is US $1.23 billion, and it has not yet been drawn. This is planned for H2 2025. Also, the plan is for both federal and several state governments across numerous geopolitical zones, including Abia, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Lagos, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Yobe States.

Importantly, it should be noted that the Borrowing Rolling Plan does not equate to an automatic increase in the nation’s debt burden. The nature of the rolling plan means that borrowings are split over the period of the projects. For example, a large proportion of projects in the 2024. – 2026 rolling plan have multi-year draw downs of between 5 – 7 years, which are project-tied loans. These projects cut across critical sectors of the economy, including power grids and transmission lines, irrigation for improving food security, fibre optics network across the country, fighter jets for security, and rail and road infrastructure. 

The majority of the proposed borrowing will be sourced from Nigeria’s development partners, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, French Development Agency, European Investment Bank, JICA, China EximBank, and the Islamic Development Bank. These institutions offer concessional financing with favourable terms and long repayment periods, thereby supporting Nigeria’s development objectives sustainably.

The government seeks to reiterate that the debt service to revenue ratio has started decreasing from its peak of over 90% in 2023. The government has ended the distortionary and inflationary ways and means. There are significant revenue expectations from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and technology-enabled monitoring and collection of surpluses from Government Owned Enterprises and revenue-generating ministries, departments, and agencies, including legacy outstanding dues. 

Having achieved a fair degree of macroeconomic stabilization, the overarching goal of the Federal Government is to pivot the economy onto a path of rapid, sustained, and inclusive economic growth. Achieving this vision requires substantial investment in critical sectors such as transportation, energy, infrastructure, and agriculture. These investments will lay the groundwork for long-term economic diversification and encourage private sector participation. Our debt strategy is therefore guided not solely by the size of our obligations but by the utility, sustainability, and economic returns of the borrowing. Ensuring that all borrowed funds are efficiently utilized and directed toward growth-enhancing projects remains a top priority.

In conclusion, the government remains committed to keeping borrowing within manageable and sustainable limits in accordance with the DMO Debt Sustainability Framework. The ongoing tax reform agenda and other revenue initiatives will further improve revenue generation and prudent financial management. We reaffirm our dedication to fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability. Constructive public engagement and legislative oversight are vital components of our journey toward long-term economic stability and inclusive national prosperity.

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Jafiya Pledges Support  For  Unity Schools’ Renewal 

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The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, has assured the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) of her commitment to collaborating with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of  the Federal 

 Government to address the current challenges plaguing the Schools in the country

The Permanent Secretary gave this assurance during a courtesy visit by the USOSA delegation led by its President General, Mr Michael Ibrahim Magaji, to her office in Abuja today. 

Mrs Jafiya emphasized the priority accorded to Education under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration and assured the delegation of her commitment to collaborating with relevant MDAs to find solutions.

Led by Mr Magaji, the delegation comprising representatives of EXCOs from various Unity Schools, including Sokoto, Yola, Warri, Jos, Kano, Ibillo, Bwari, and Ogbomosho, stated that their visit was to solicit the Permanent Secretary’s kind intervention towards addressing the challenges facing Unity Schools in the country 

The delegation highlighted pressing issues affecting students and teachers, including inadequate electricity, lack of digitization, health concerns, dilapidated hostel accommodations, as  well as security threats, and appealed to the Permanent Secretary to leverage her position to engage relevant MDAs, including Education, Communication and Digital Economy, Health, and Lands, to address these issues.

Notably, as an old student of Unity Schools herself, Mrs Jafiya expressed her resolve to support the renewal of Unity Schools,  underscoring her commitment to the alma mater.

The Permanent Secretary’s commitment marks not only a significant step towards revitalizing these institutions but more importantly enhancing the learning experience for Nigerian students, paving the way for collaborative efforts to restore Unity Schools to their former glory

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