According to Premium Times, President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Yahaya Gusau, and approved the appointment of Tijani Abdullahi as replacement. Abdullahi is a fellow of the Certified National Accountants of Nigeria, and a banker of repute with experience in managing public finance. The online new portal cited a Presidency source, Gusau’s removal was not unconnected to the controversial 2016 budget, which was described by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State as a national embarrassment.
Premium Times said Buhari believed Gusau, who was appointed to the office on August 18, 2015 failed to effectively deliver on his mandate. He was supposed to serve a four-year tenure, but cut short in less than six months after his appointment. 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, a statement by the presidency said.