Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday presided over the swearing-in of newly appointed members of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the Federal Character Commission (FCC), and the National Population Commission (NPC), alongside eight newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.
Truth Live News gathered that the ceremony, held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, preceded the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. The 21 members of the RMAFC, one FCC commissioner, and one NPC commissioner took their oaths of office in the presence of top government officials.
The Permanent Secretaries, drawn from eight states, underwent a rigorous selection process, including written and oral examinations and an ICT competency test.
Profiles of the Newly Appointed Permanent Secretaries
Among those sworn in was Dr. Onwusoro Ihemelandu, an optometrist from Abia State and a World Bank-certified procurement expert. Ihemelandu joined the Federal Civil Service in 1997 as a Senior Optometrist in the Federal Ministry of Health before transitioning to the procurement cadre. He has served as Director of Procurement in various ministries, including Environment, Labour and Employment, and Interior.
Philip Ebiogeh Ndiomu from Bayelsa State holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Animal Science. Having joined the Federal Civil Service in 1992 as an Agricultural Officer with the Directorate for Foods, Roads, and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI), Ndiomu later became Director of Agriculture at the Ministry of Niger Delta Development. In this role, he spearheaded programs that trained and empowered over 5,500 women, youths, and vulnerable groups.
Dr. Anuma Nlia, a medical doctor from Ebonyi State, holds a Master’s in Medical Microbiology and is a Fellow of the Medical College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He has held leadership roles at the Federal Ministry of Health, including Director of the Teaching Hospitals Division and Head of Regulatory and Professional Schools. His contributions to Nigeria’s tertiary healthcare sector include policy implementation, hospital upgrades, and administrative reforms.
Chinasa Nnam Ogbodo, an accountant from Enugu State, joined the Federal Civil Service in 1993. Rising through the ranks, he became Director of Finance and Accounts in 2017, with postings at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission, and the Ministry of Transportation. Before his new appointment, Ogbodo served as Director of Special Duties in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
Dr. Kalba Danjuma Usman, a medical doctor from Gombe State, is a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons and Nigeria’s first Fellow of the World Endourology Society, USA. A pioneer of LASER surgery in Nigeria, he has performed numerous life-saving surgeries and trained medical professionals in advanced endourology. Before his appointment, he was Chief Consultant Grade 1 Urologist and Director of Urology at the State House Medical Centre.
Dr. Salihu Aminu Usman from Kebbi State holds a Ph.D. in Management and has a background in finance. He started his career in 1995 with the Kebbi State Local Government Service, later joining the Federal Civil Service in 2011 as Chief Accountant in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation. Most recently, he served as Director of Finance and Accounts at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
Patience Nwakuso Oyekunle, from Rivers State, has a background in biochemistry and joined the Federal Civil Service in 2013 as an Assistant Director (Administration). She became a Director in 2022, serving in ministries including Agriculture, Aviation, and Humanitarian Affairs. Before her appointment, she was Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, where she played a key role in policy formulation and strategic planning.
Engr. Nadungu Gagare, an agricultural engineer from Kaduna State, began his career in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Rising to Director in 2022, he has led high-impact agricultural projects, including the development of rice parboiling equipment and agro-processing facilities. His work has earned him recognition, including the Minister of Agriculture’s Award for Excellence in 2022 and the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers’ Merit Award for Excellence in 2023.
The following individuals were sworn in as RMAFC Commissioners: Nkechi Oti Linda (Abia State), Barr. Imo Efiong Akpan (Akwa Ibom State), Hon. Ekene Enefe (Anambra State), Prof. Steve Davies Ugbah (Benue State), Ntufam Eyo-Nsa Whiley (Cross River State), Aruviere Egharhevwa (Delta State), Henry Nduka Awuregu (Ebonyi State), Victor Otaigbe Eboigbe (Edo State), Hon. Ekene Enefe (Anambra State) and Prof. Steve Davies Ugbah (Benue State).
Others include, Ntufam Eyo-Nsa Whiley (Cross River State), Aruviere Egharhevwa (Delta State), Henry Nduka Awuregu (Ebonyi State), Victor Otaigbe Eboigbe (Edo State), Hon. Barr. Omowumi Olubunmi Ogunlola (Ekiti State), Hon. Chief Ozo Obumneme Obodougo (Enugu State), Mohammed Kabeer Usman (Gombe State), and Kabir Muhammad Mashi (Katsina State).
Hon. Adamu Abdu Fanda (Kano State), Prof. Olusegun Adekunle Wright (Lagos State), Aliyu Almakura Abdulkadir (Nasarawa State), Ibrahim Bako Shettima (Niger State), Akeem Akintayo Amosun (Ogun State), Dr. Nathaniel Adojutelegan (Ondo State), Hon. Sa’ad Ibrahim Bello (Plateau State), ESV. Madu-Aji Juluri (Yobe State), and Bello Rabiu Garba (Zamfara State) were also commissioned.
In addition to the RMAFC appointments, Mr. Kayode Oladele was sworn in as the FCC’s Federal Commissioner, while Pastor (Mrs.) Iyantan Olukemi Victoria took the oath as NPC’s Federal Commissioner.
A Strategic Step Toward Government Efficiency
President Tinubu’s administration continues to make key appointments aimed at strengthening governance and improving efficiency in public service delivery. The selection process for Permanent Secretaries, involving rigorous evaluations, aligns with the government’s broader agenda of institutional reform.
With the RMAFC playing a crucial role in revenue allocation and fiscal management, the appointment of its 21 new members is expected to enhance transparency and equitable distribution of national resources. Similarly, the FCC and NPC commissioners will be instrumental in ensuring federal character principles and effective population management strategies.
As these officials assume their roles, expectations are high for their contributions toward economic growth, public sector accountability, and service delivery improvements across ministries, departments, and agencies.