Finance
At ministerial briefing, Wale Edun rekindles hope, says economy is on steady growth
The Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has within one year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the financial processes of the country have significantly improved with substantial and sustainable increase in Government revenues.
This was as stated that the heart of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eight point agenda falls squarely within the purview of his Ministry on which lies the imperative for effective economic management and strategic coordination.
The Minister made the disclosure at Radio House, Abuja during the Sectoral Briefing on the achievements of his Ministry in celebration of the one year anniversary of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration.
A statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga pointed out that the Minister, who rolled out the state of the Economy for the year in review
informed indicated that expenditure processes have been tightened through automation.
“From economic revitalization to social development, from infrastructure enhancement to good governance. This administration’s bold reform measures reflect a commitment to building a more prosperous, equitable and resilient Nigeria” he said 
Edun explained that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration within the year under review was able to boost oil revenues through increased oil production of 1.65mbd as at January 2024.
He assured that the country’s economy is growing with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 2.98 per cent in the first quarter of 2024, which is higher than the population growth rate of 2.4 per cent and last year’s growth rate of 2.31 per cent.
“The economy is growing at 2.98 per cent for the first quarter of this year, which is higher than the population of 2.4 per cent. It is higher than last year’s 2.31 per cent.
“So, on balance, we can say that the President’s policy strategies and his programmes have turned the country in the right direction, upwards, growing” he said.
The Minister maintained that the Ministry, under his stewardship will continue to ensure the full implementation of the reform policies and programmes of the government in order to restore stability to the economy, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
Edun noted that the reforms have led to an increase in revenue, enabling the government to pay its debts and invest in infrastructure.
The Minister explained further that the government has also implemented social investment programmes to protect the poor and vulnerable, with direct payments of N75,000 to 15m households.
Additionally, he said, efforts are being made to improve food security, with 200bn Naira allocated to intervention programmes.
Edun added further that access to credit has also been improved, with N100bn allocated to consumer credit and grants of N50,000 being given to one million nano industries.
He pointed out that the government has implemented a system of payment to ensure that Nigeria’s money is spent wisely and accountably.
The Minister who emphasised the importance of infrastructure in growing the economy and creating jobs, added that the fund has been set up to provide institutional long-term funds to support housing construction and low-interest mortgages for the average Nigerian.
“The government’s efforts have led to an improvement in Nigeria’s international credit rating, with Moody’s and Fitch increasing and improving Nigeria’s rates to positivity”
The Minister who was accompanied to the event by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mr. Okokon Ekenam Udo, Heads of Agencies under his supervision as well as Directors of the Ministry, expressed optimism that continuing on this path will lead to a growing economy and improved living standards for all Nigerians.
“We have room to feel that continuing on these paths, redoubling our efforts, following Mr President’s agenda at the state and federal level, will lead us to a growing economy that takes us out of poverty and produces a better life for all Nigerians* Edun emphasized.
In his closing remarks, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged journalists to ensure they provide wider publicity for the Briefing through patriotic and positive reportage for the benefit of the country.
He assured that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration is determined to improve the lives of its citizens through deliberate strategic initiatives, programmes and projects that have direct impact on their lives.
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has distributed a total of N1.411 trillion to the federal, state, and local governments for October 2024.
This was announced at FAAC’s November meeting held in Bauchi, chaired by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Mrs. Oluwatoyin S. Madein.
Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement issued on Wednesday indicated that the disbursed amount was drawn from a gross total revenue of N2.668 trillion, comprising Gross Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), and Exchange Difference (ED).
From the stated amount inclusive of Gross Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), Exchange Difference (ED, the Federal Government received N433.021b, the States received N490.696b, the Local Government Councils got N355.621b , while the Oil Producing States received N132.404b as Derivation, (13% of Mineral Revenue).
The sum of N97.517b was given for the cost of collection, while N1.159trn was allocated for Transfers Intervention and Refunds.
The Communique issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) at the end of the meeting indicated that the Gross Revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) for the month of October 2024, was N668.291b as against N583.676b distributed in the preceding month, resulting in an increase of N84.616b.
From that amount, the sum of N26.732b was allocated for the cost of collection and the sum of N19.247b given for Transfers, Intervention and Refunds. The remaining sum of N622.312b was distributed to the three tiers of government, of which the Federal Government got N93.347b, the States received N311.156b and Local Government Councils got N217.809b.
Accordingly, the Gross Statutory Revenue of N1.336trn received for the month was higher than the sum of N1.043trn received in the previous month by N293.009b. From the stated amount, the sum of N70.072b was allocated for the cost of collection and a total sum of N1.060trn for Transfers, Intervention and Refunds.
The remaining balance of N206.319b was distributed as follows to the three tiers of government: Federal Government got the sum of N77.562b, States received N39.341b, the sum of N30.330b was allocated to LGCs and N59.086b was given to Derivation Revenue (13% Mineral producing States).
Also, the sum of N17.824b from Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) was distributed to the three (3) tiers of government as follows: the Federal Government received N2.567b , States got N8.555b, Local Government Councils received N5.989 Billion, while N0.713b was allocated for Cost of Collection.
The Communique also disclosed the sum of N646.000b from Exchange Difference, which was shared as follows: Federal Government received N259.545b, States got N131.644b, the sum of N101.493 Billion was allocated to Local Government Councils, N73.318b was given for Derivation (13% of Mineral Revenue), while the sum of N80.000b was allocated to Transfers, Interventions and Refunds.
Oil and Royalty, Excise Duty, Value Added Tax (VAT) Import Duty, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and Companies Income Tax (CIT) increased significantly, while, Electronic Money Transfer Levy ( EMTL) and CET Levies decreased considerably.
According to the Communique, the total revenue distributable for the current month of October 2024, was drawn from Statutory Revenue of N206.319 Billion, Value Added Tax (VAT) of N622.312b, N17.111b from Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), and N566.000b from Exchange Difference, bringing the total distributable amount for the month to N1.411trn
In a bid to steer Nigeria’s economic recovery, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) gathered in Bauchi for the 2024 National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) Conference.
With the theme “Fostering Economic Growth in Challenging Times: Strategies for Policies and Partnership for Fiscal Sustainability and National Development,” the event drew policymakers and stakeholders to discuss strategies for fiscal sustainability and development.
Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement on Monday quoted the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, to have emphasized the government’s dedication to refocusing resources on vital sectors like infrastructure, education, healthcare, and social services.
These he sais are aimed to reduce poverty and uplift Nigerians as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He highlighted direct support programs, such as biometric-based payments for vulnerable households, to mitigate the effects of ongoing reforms.
Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Mohammed praised the Federal Government’s vision, emphasizing the importance of unity in achieving sustainable development. Discussions centered on forging partnerships across government levels and with the private sector to spur job creation and economic resilience.
The conference concluded with FAAC delegates committed to implementing strategies for Nigeria’s economic revival, underscoring the power of collaboration for national progress.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edu, defended Nigeria’s recent economic reforms, particularly the adoption of market-driven exchange rates and the sale of crude oil in Naira.
Speaking at an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Finance, Edu highlighted the positive outcomes, especially in terms of increased government revenue.
Edu acknowledged the challenges faced in implementing the reforms but emphasized that the country is already beginning to experience the benefits.
According to him, he said the sales of crude oil in Naira, initiated by President Bola Tinubu, has been particularly impactful, contributing to a stronger domestic financial environment.
Edu’s remarks reflect a broader effort by the government to enhance fiscal management and ensure the long-term sustainability of the nation’s economic policies.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, stated that the session was convened to assess the effects of these reforms on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper for 2024-2026.
He said It also aimed to address concerns about shortfalls in revenue remittances from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), particularly regarding the foreign and domestic excess crude accounts.
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