Reps Deputy Spokesman Backs Oyedele to Tackle Capital Project Delays

By Margaret Abah

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has thrown his weight behind the newly appointed Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, expressing confidence in his capacity to address persistent delays in the execution of 2025 capital projects and stabilise Nigeria’s fiscal framework.

Agbese made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, amid growing concerns over the slow pace of budget implementation—an issue that has continued to hinder infrastructure delivery and weaken public confidence in government spending.

According to the lawmaker, the appointment of Oyedele by President Bola Tinubu signals a deliberate move to strengthen discipline and efficiency within Nigeria’s economic management system.

He said delays in capital project execution should not be interpreted as systemic failure, noting that recent steps taken by the administration indicate a renewed commitment to improving fiscal performance.

“What we are seeing is that the President has taken decisive steps to strengthen the economic management team. With the appointment of Taiwo Oyedele, Nigerians can be assured that the economy is in capable hands,” Agbese stated.

Highlighting Oyedele’s credentials, Agbese described him as a seasoned fiscal policy expert with extensive experience in tax reform, public finance, and economic advisory. He added that the minister’s deep understanding of Nigeria’s fiscal structure places him in a strong position to address long-standing inefficiencies in budget execution.

The lawmaker also recalled Oyedele’s role as head of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, where he contributed to developing frameworks aimed at boosting revenue generation and aligning fiscal policies with national development priorities.

Agbese emphasised that the immediate priority for the finance ministry should be the timely release and efficient utilisation of appropriated funds to ensure visible progress in capital projects across critical sectors.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to support the executive through legislation and oversight, ensuring that reforms within the finance ministry translate into measurable outcomes.

“It is important to emphasise that Nigerians expect results, not rhetoric. The minister understands the urgency of improving capital releases and ensuring that funds appropriated by the National Assembly are translated into real development outcomes,” he said.

Agbese expressed optimism that improved coordination between the executive and legislature, alongside clearer policy direction and sustained institutional support, would accelerate capital project implementation in the coming months, thereby strengthening fiscal credibility and overall economic governance.