By Peace Erewunmi

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Ministerial Economic Advisory Committee comprising leading economists, public finance experts and private sector leaders to strengthen economic policymaking and support the implementation of ongoing fiscal reforms.

The committee was inaugurated in Abuja by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, who described the body as a strategic public-private partnership aimed at bridging the gap between policy formulation and implementation.

Among those appointed are Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director of Sterling Bank, who will serve as Chairman; Dr. Ayo Teriba, Chief Executive Officer of Economic Associates, as Vice Chairman; Prof. Uche Uwaleke, President of the Capital Market Academics of Nigeria; and Chinyere Almona, Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, alongside other experts in economics, governance and public finance.

Speaking at the inauguration, Oyedele said the committee would provide independent, evidence-based recommendations to help the government assess the impact of its reforms on businesses and households while proposing practical solutions to emerging economic challenges. He noted that the body would not exercise executive powers but would serve as an advisory platform to improve policy decisions.

The minister reiterated that the Federal Government remains committed to achieving sustainable economic growth through reforms such as fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange market unification and tax policy reforms. He added that the committee’s recommendations would contribute to the administration’s goal of boosting economic growth, creating jobs, reducing inflation and improving living standards for Nigerians.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Chairman Abubakar Suleiman pledged that members would provide objective, practical and implementable recommendations to support Nigeria’s economic transformation and ensure that ongoing reforms deliver tangible benefits to citizens.