FOLLOWING the hiccups that have dogged the the 2016 Appropriation Bill sent to the National Assembly for its consideration and approval, President Muhammadu Buhari has now approved the appointment of Mr. Tijjani Mohammed Abdullahi  as the Director-General (Budget).

According to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, in Abuja on Monday, Abdullahi, a fellow of the Certified National Accountants of Nigeria, and a banker of repute with experience in managing public finance, will replace the current Director-General (Budget), Mr. Yahaya Gusau. 

It said the new Director-General (Budget) is expected to work with the Minister of Budget and National Planning to efficiently deliver on the mandates of the Budget Office of the Federation.

The statement also announced that Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr Ben Ifeanyi Akabueze as the Special Adviser on Planning to the Minister of Budget and National Planning.

Akabueze who is the immediate past Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos State, has worked in senior management positions in Citi Bank, Fidelity Bank, United Bank for Africa, NAL Merchant Bank, Sterling Bank and BIA Consulting Limited, among others.

He is Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers; Fellow, Institute of Credit Administrators and Honorary Fellow, Chartered Institute of Bankers.