The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite

  • Protesting contractors block Finance minister over N4tr debt

    Protesting contractors block Finance minister over N4tr debt

    There was pandemonium yesterday at the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja.

    Protesting local contractors prevented the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, from entering the ministry.

    There was so much scuffle that her security detail had to fire a gunshot to disperse the angry contractors before she could enter the ministry and her office.

    The demonstrators, operating under the aegis of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), arrived at the premises alongside early-morning ministry workers.

    Upon gathering in significant numbers, the group took control of the entrance and compelled the ministry’s private security personnel to shut the gates, effectively locking out civil servants and visitors.

    The situation took a dramatic turn when Dr. Uzoka-Anite arrived at the complex. Clad in a white dress with a matching turban, the minister exited her vehicle to appeal to the crowd.

    But her pleas were met with defiance as the contractors formed a human barricade.

    Chanting, “How many people government go kill ooo, How many people government go kill?” the protesters surged forward to block her path.

    Read Also: Protesting contractors block National Assembly gates

    Tension reached a breaking point when one of the minister’s security detail attempted to physically clear a pathway into the building. The move sparked a round of pushing and shoving that nearly got out of control.

    In the ensuing heat of the moment, a security aide fired a gunshot into the air to disperse the crowd, causing temporary panic among the demonstrators.

    The contractors expressed anger over what they called the Federal Government’s refusal to pay them for the projects they had executed.

    They further alleged that funds earmarked for the payments in the 2024 and 2025 budgets had been withheld.

    AICAN President Jackson Nwosu said the decision to stage the protest  was borne out of desperation caused by accumulating debt and worsening cash flow pressures.

    He explained that many contractors were facing bank defaults and the seizure of personal assets after borrowing to execute government mandates.

    “The government has failed to honour the agreement to pay contractors whose project details had been submitted and verified. Payments finalised before the closure of the payment portal at the end of December never reflected in our accounts,” Nwosu said.

    The AICAN president disputed official claims that 80 per cent of the debt had been cleared, stating that only 30 to 40 per cent of payments had actually been processed.

    He stated that warrants appeared to have stopped last May, and with ongoing work, total liabilities have now surpassed the ₦4 trillion mark.

    Reacting to the discharge of a firearm during the scuffle, AICAN Vice President, Mr. Fredrick Agada, characterised the act as an attempt at intimidation.

    He maintained that the contractors were engaged in a peaceful demonstration and were unarmed, seeking only the money owed to them.

    “This is a peaceful protest. We are harmless. We are just sitting down peacefully, demanding our money, our payment,” Agada said.

    The association’s Secretary-General, Mr. Babatunde Oyeniyi, said formal engagements with the Ministry of Finance and the National Assembly had been ongoing since last June with no tangible results.

    He cautioned that the continued neglect of local firms is dealing a significant blow to the domestic economy.

    The group insisted that the protest will persist until all verified payments are settled. They expressed frustration over what they called the preferential treatment for foreign firms, whose payments had allegedly been processed without the type of delays faced by indigenous businesses face.

  • FG confirms release of Super Eagles’ bonuses

    FG confirms release of Super Eagles’ bonuses

    The federal government has announced that all group-stage bonuses due to players of the Super Eagles at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations have been released and are expected to reflect in the players’ domiciliary accounts within hours.

    The disclosure was made by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, in response to reports suggesting that the national team was considering boycotting training sessions and could refuse to travel to Marrakesh for their quarter-final encounter against Algeria.

    In a post on her official X handle, Uzoka-Anite provided an update on the administrative steps taken to resolve concerns surrounding the payment of match bonuses to the Super Eagles, stating that the issue had been addressed through coordinated action by the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    “The Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have successfully streamlined to ensure faster, more predictable disbursements aligned with international best practice,” the minister said.

    She explained that all bonuses earned during the group stage of the tournament had already been processed through the required regulatory procedures. “All group-stage bonuses were fully released and have now cleared the necessary regulatory stages,” she said.

    Uzoka-Anite added that the government had introduced a fast-track process to meet the players’ preferences regarding currency denomination. “We have implemented a fast-track conversion process to move funds into foreign currency, honouring the players’ preferences,” she stated.

    Read Also: Another  bonus row threatens Super Eagles’ AFCON campaign

    According to the minister, the final stage of the payment process is already underway. “The final transfers to domiciliary accounts are currently in flight. Players can expect these funds to reflect starting today (Thursday) or tomorrow (Friday),” she said.

    She noted that the government’s priority remains the welfare and morale of the national team as they progress into the knockout phase of the tournament. “Our focus remains entirely on supporting the team’s welfare so they can maintain their incredible momentum in the knockout rounds,” Uzoka-Anite said.

    She added that the administration is committed to ensuring that off-field issues do not distract the players from their performance on the pitch. “We move forward with one goal: Bringing the trophy home!” she said.

    The update is expected to calm concerns surrounding the team’s preparations ahead of the quarter-final fixture, as the Super Eagles continue their campaign at the AFCON 2025 tournament.

  • Federal Govt launches govt-private sector dialogue

    Federal Govt launches govt-private sector dialogue

    Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, has convened the first edition of the Government–Private Sector (GPS) Dialogue Series– a landmark forum designed to bridge the communication gap between government and enterprise, and to align national economic reforms with the realities of everyday business.

    The maiden edition, themed: Finance and SME Growth Roundtable  at Radisson Blu, Ikeja, brought together captains of industry, federal agency heads, market leaders, and key Lagos State officials. It marks the beginning of a structured and continuous dialogue between policymakers and Nigeria’s private sector, starting with the vibrant trading and entrepreneurial community of South East origin domiciled in Lagos.

    In her  welcome address, Dr. Uzoka-Anite reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Administration is determined to make government more “present, responsive, and accountable.”

     She emphasized that policy must not be written for the people, but with them, stressing that the GPS Dialogue Series is “a platform where the voices of entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders directly shape the priorities of governance.”

    The  Minister highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s  vision of a business-friendly Nigeria, built on partnership and reform. “We are transitioning from survival mode to influence mode,” she declared. “Government can design policy, business can activate productivity, and together, we can build prosperity.”

    The event featured intensive panel sessions with the Bank of Industry (BOI), Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), CREDICORP, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Customs Service, NOTAP, and Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), among others.

    Agency heads and representatives unveiled credit schemes, single-digit loans, and export financing products available to businesses, while traders and entrepreneurs presented candid feedback on access to finance, taxation, import bottlenecks, and export readiness.

    One of the most  moments came from market leaders who expressed renewed optimism, describing the forum as the “first genuine collaboration between government and traders in decades.” They applauded the Minister’s initiative for “bringing government to the people” and pledged to work collectively to ensure continuity and follow-through.

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    The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, who joined the session, praised the initiative and pledged full federal support. He affirmed that “dialogue, timing, and consultation are the keys to effective reform,” and announced forthcoming digital reforms such as the National Single Window Project to enhance trade facilitation and reduce import/export costs.

    By the close of the dialogue, a new WhatsApp Coordination Forum was launched to sustain engagement between federal agencies, traders, and business associations—ensuring that the dialogue translates into continuous action.

    With Lagos State represented by senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Cooperatives, and the presence of major associations including Computer Village Technology Merchants (ACOVITEMN)  and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the event underscored the shared commitment to economic transformation through collaboration.

    In her closing remarks, Dr. Uzoka-Anite reiterated that this Dialogue Series is not a one-off consultation but the start of a new tradition of transparency and partnership between the public and private sectors.

    “The Renewed Hope Agenda is not a slogan – it is a social contract,” she said. “When enterprise thrives, divisions fade. When opportunity is shared, hope is renewed. Together, we will make this the Decade of Nigerian Resurgence.”

  • Fed Govt launches electronic assets register to enhance financial management

    Fed Govt launches electronic assets register to enhance financial management

    The federal government has finally launched the National Electronic Assets Register, a major initiative aimed at improving debt sustainability and enhancing Nigeria’s financial management.

    The project, which has been in works for over seven years was inaugurated in Abuja on Thursday. It is expected to provide an accurate and transparent record of the country’s assets, allowing for better financial planning and investment decisions.

    Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the initiative would change the way Nigeria manages its public assets. “With the official take off of the National Electronic Assets Register the federal government is certain that the country’s debt sustainability issues will be significantly addressed” she said.

    She explained that with the digital registry, the government can now estimate expected revenues from various assets, making it easier to manage the country’s financial position.

    According to her, the register will also allow the government to use these assets for balance sheet management, financial derivatives, and other economic strategies to unlock their full value. She added that the project would give development partners, foreign investors, and other stakeholders more confidence in Nigeria as an investment destination.

    Dr. Uzoka-Anite expressed confidence that this system would make it easier for the country to raise funds. She described the National Electronic Assets Register as a tool for transparency and accountability that would ensure all government-owned properties and infrastructure are properly recorded and managed.

    Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, in what was her last official engagement as the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), described the launch as a major milestone. She explained that this was the first time the federal government had compiled a National Asset Register in a digital format.

    Dr. Madein noted that the register would include a wide range of government assets such as airports, military infrastructure, educational institutions, office buildings, biological assets, mineral deposits, concessioned assets amongst other assets. By properly documenting these assets in a structured and digital format, the government aims to maximize their value and improve financial reporting.

    Read Also: Electronic assets register to improve debt sustainability, attract investments – FG

    She also stated that the register would cover legacy assets acquired before 2015, which had not been systematically recorded before Nigeria adopted the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in 2016. While assets acquired since 2016 have been recorded in the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), earlier acquisitions had remained unaccounted for in a central database.

    Dr. Madein acknowledged that past efforts to track government assets had been mostly manual, making it difficult to maintain accurate records. The transition to a fully digital system would now allow government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to log their assets in real time. This data will be collected by the Office of the Accountant General for financial reporting, investment planning, and other economic decisions.

    She explained that having a complete view of government assets would help improve Nigeria’s financial position. Using vehicles as an example, she pointed out that depreciation affects asset values over time. By maintaining an accurate register, the government will be able to track depreciation and ensure a more precise valuation of public assets each year.

    Speaking on the technical aspects of the project, the Acting Director of Asset Tracking and Management at the Office of the Accountant General Mrs Mbat Josephine explained that the Asset Tracking and Management Project (ATMP) was designed to create a detailed inventory of federal government assets, covering their locations, ownership, historical valuation, and legal status.

    She further said that the digital register would serve as a real-time, computerized database accessible to both the government and the public. This, according to her, would make asset tracking more effective, improve management efficiency, and ensure compliance with international financial reporting standards such as IFRS and IPSAS.

    Mbat described the project as an important step towards transparent and accountable public asset management, bringing Nigeria’s financial reporting in line with international standards.

    She also revealed that over 400 asset data submissions had already been received from MDAs, showing strong participation in the initiative.

    She stated that the active involvement of government agencies in the digital registry showed an increasing awareness of the need for standardized asset management practices. The platform, she said, would serve as a central repository, ensuring that all government assets are properly accounted for and updated in real time.

    Beyond asset tracking, the electronic register is expected to support better decision-making by providing data-driven insights for asset management, privatization, and public-private partnerships. It will also help the government use its assets more effectively for financial planning and economic development.

  • FG expands palliative programme to support students, FCT residents

    FG expands palliative programme to support students, FCT residents

    The federal government has expanded its palliative distribution programme to support students nationwide and residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. 

    Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, led the latest round of palliative distribution over the weekend, stating that the initiative is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader economic reform agenda. 

    She explained that the intervention is designed to ease immediate economic pressures on citizens while long-term reforms take effect.

    “These palliatives serve as a bridge while our comprehensive economic reforms take root,” Dr. Uzoka-Anite stated.

    The distribution in the FCT targeted various beneficiary groups across its Area Councils, including student organizations, women associations, community groups, and vulnerable populations. 

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    Among the notable student organizations that received the palliatives were the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the Nigerian Female Students Association (NFSAN), and NANS alumni networks.

    Grassroots organizations also benefited from the initiative, with special attention given to women groups and community-based associations. 

    Key beneficiaries included the FCT Market Women Associations, Area Council Youth Associations, Religious and Cultural Groups, Widows’ Associations, and Community Development Organizations.

    Dr. Uzoka-Anite reiterated that the Federal Government remains committed to supporting Nigerians through economic challenges, stressing that the palliatives align with President Tinubu’s vision for sustainable economic stability.

    “As we continue to navigate the complexities of our economic landscape, our administration remains committed to supporting Nigerians through these challenging times. We are dedicated to creating a brighter future for our citizens, and this expanded palliative programme is a testament to that commitment,” she stated.

    The FCT distribution follows a similar effort in Imo State, where thousands of bags of relief items were delivered across all 27 Local Government Areas. Beneficiaries included religious institutions, community groups, women organizations, youth associations, and vulnerable populations.

    Dr. Uzoka-Anite, who is also a resident of the FCT, acknowledged the urgent needs of communities and assured them of the government’s continued support.

    “As both a public servant and resident of the FCT, I understand the immediate needs of our communities,” she said.

    Commending the initiative, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Mr. Sunday Asefon, praised the Minister’s dedication to student welfare.

    “Dr. Uzoka-Anite has demonstrated remarkable understanding of students’ challenges in these times. Her proactive approach in extending these palliatives to students nationwide shows the Tinubu Administration’s dedication to supporting Nigerian students while implementing necessary economic reforms,” Asefon stated.