Tinubu holds crucial briefing with finance, budget, gas ministers

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday convened a closed-door meeting with top members of his economic and fiscal policy team at the State House in Abuja.

While described by insiders as a routine engagement, the meeting is believed to be part of ongoing efforts to fine-tune Nigeria’s economic recovery strategy.

In attendance were key figures in the administration’s economic leadership: the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.

President Tinubu also met with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso; the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji; as well as the Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, Joseph Tegbe.

Although the agenda of the meetings was not officially disclosed, sources indicated that it was part of regular consultations where top government officials occupying sensitive economic portfolios update the President on developments within their respective sectors.

“The President routinely receives briefings from relevant ministers and heads of economic institutions to stay abreast of policy developments and implementation timelines,” a source said.

It was gathered that the FIRS chairman, Dr. Adedeji, was expected to brief the President on the effective implementation of the four new tax laws recently signed into law, which are slated to take effect from January 2026.

The laws are aimed at broadening the tax net, simplifying compliance, and enhancing non-oil revenue generation in line with the administration’s fiscal reform agenda.

The Governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Cardoso, was also expected to provide updates on current fiscal and monetary policy dynamics, including efforts to stabilise the naira, manage inflation, and sustain investor confidence.

Ministers Edun and Bagudu were expected to present overviews of the broader economic outlook, current budget implementation, and medium-term expenditure projections.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekpo, was also scheduled to provide updates on investment prospects and gas infrastructure development under the Decade of Gas initiative.

Each official arrived separately at the Villa for the consultations, reflecting standard protocol for high-level briefings.

The meeting comes at a time the administration is intensifying its focus on economic recovery, fiscal consolidation, and energy sector reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

(Nation)