By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu will officially swear in Olatunji Disu as the substantive Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on Wednesday, following his unanimous confirmation by the Nigeria Police Council.

The endorsement took place during a council meeting presided over by Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Monday. According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the swearing-in ceremony will occur during the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting.

The Police Council meeting was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, state governors, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, retired DIG Hashimu Argungu, in line with constitutional requirements. Also present were Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Gaidam.

Disu’s appointment received widespread praise from state governors who attended the session. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu highlighted Disu’s impactful tenure as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad between 2015 and 2021. Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike commended his professionalism, citing his previous postings in Rivers State and as Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory. Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah also voiced his support for the nomination.

Disu, 59, was born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State. He began his law enforcement career on May 18, 1992, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent. His academic credentials include studies in public administration, forensic investigation, criminology, security, legal psychology, and entrepreneurship—reflecting a focus on modern, knowledge-driven policing.

Prior to his confirmation, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit and the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Lagos. He shares a longstanding professional relationship with President Tinubu, having served as Aide-de-Camp during Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos State Governor, while outgoing IGP Kayode Egbetokun served as Chief Security Officer.

Disu’s confirmation comes just one week after he was appointed Acting IGP, following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has rolled out four digital payment options for access gates at airports nationwide as part of its ongoing “Operation Go Cashless” initiative.

According to FAAN, the move, aimed at eliminating cash transactions and enhancing efficiency at key entry points, aligns with Nigeria’s broader push toward a cashless economy.

The authority detailed the available payment channels in an announcement on its X handle on Tuesday.

It wrote, “To ensure smooth and efficient access, the following payment options are available:

“FAAN Go Cashless Card – The fastest and most seamless payment option.

“E-Tag – Ideal for frequent users; enables automatic deduction without stopping.

“VIP Sticker – For authorised vehicles with approved access.

“ATM/Debit Card via POS – Available on-site; however, processing time may vary due to banking network issues.”

FAAN added that users can obtain their Go Cashless card at any of its commercial offices and access gates. Users can also sign up and manage their cards online at www.gocashless.faan.gov.ng.

The Go Cashless policy, which took effect on March 1, 2026, bans cash at all FAAN pay points, including toll gates, car parks, and executive lounges, in line with directives from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Launched in partnership with Paystack, the initiative was first announced in September 2025 and began at major hubs such as Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The authority emphasises that the system will make transactions “faster, safer, and more convenient,” potentially increasing revenue by up to 75% through better transparency and reduced cash handling.

However, on the first day of implementation, chaos ensued at Lagos and Abuja airports, with vehicular gridlock causing some travelers to miss flights. Motorists without prepaid cards resorted to POS payments, leading to delays.

FAAN has appealed for patience, urging frequent users to preload cards in advance to avoid disruptions.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has nominated the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Dr. Taiwo Oyedele, as the Minister of State for Finance.

Oyedele replaces Dr. Doris Anite-Uzoka, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as Minister of State, her third portfolio in the administration.

The President on Tuesday conveyed Oyedele’s nomination to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday.

Until Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Oyedele from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State, was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

The 50-year-old is an economist, accountant, and public policy expert who led the comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system through the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

The committee, inaugurated in August 2023, delivered four executive bills that consolidated over 60 taxes into fewer than 10 statutes and introduced significant reforms, including zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 annually or less.

The Tax Reform Acts, which became effective on January 1, 2026, also exempted small businesses with turnover below N50m from company income tax, capital gains tax, and development levy.

Other provisions include a 50 per cent tax deduction for companies hiring new workers for three years, a 50 per cent deduction for wage increases to the lowest-paid employees, and a five-year corporate tax holiday for agricultural enterprises.

Oyedele attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy and Finance, before proceeding to Oxford Brookes University for a BSc in Applied Accounting.

He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

Oyedele spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader before his appointment to head the tax reform committee.

He is currently a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.

As Minister of State for Finance, Oyedele is expected to oversee the implementation of the tax reforms he championed, particularly as the government seeks to improve revenue generation and deepen economic reforms.

Anite-Uzoka, who is being redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, previously served as Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment before her appointment as Minister of State for Finance.

The Senate is expected to screen and confirm Oyedele’s nomination in the coming weeks, following which he will be sworn in to assume his ministerial duties.

The Finance Ministry, currently led by Wale Edun as substantive minister, oversees fiscal policy, revenue mobilisation, debt management, and economic planning.