Buhari appoints Ben Akabueze as DG, Budget Office

President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the appointment of for Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Ban Akabueze,  the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation.

Akabueze is to take over from  Tijani Mohammed Abdullahi, who is to switch to the position of .Special Adviser on Planning, the post Akabueze occupied in the presidency until this minor reshuffle.

A statement by Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, said Akabueze takes over from Abdullahi who will now serve as Special Adviser to the President on Planning and will continue to work with the Minister of Budget and National Planning.

Both Akabueze and Abdullahi joined the Ministry of Budget and National Planning in February this year.

“Their redeployment is part of an ongoing exercise aimed at further repositioning the ministry to effectively deliver on its core mandate,” Adesina said.

Akabueze served as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NAL Bank PLC in 2000. Mr. Akabueze served as Executive Director at Sterling Bank Plc in 2006. Mr. Akabueze has worked with a number of organisations among which are the Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA), Maiduguri, Pricewaterhouse (Chartered Accountants), Nigerian International Bank Limited (Citibank Nigeria), Fidelity Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc.

He was appointed Honourable commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, Lagos State from 2007 to 2015. Mr. Akabueze has been Non-Executive Director at Chams Plc since February 03, 2016. Mr. Akabueze served as a Director of Sterling Bank Plc until August 31, 2006.

He was awarded the JF Kennedy Scholar award, National Merit Scholarship for academic excellence (1980 – 82), Second Place Merit Prize – Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria Professional Exams (1984), Citibank Global Account Management award (1991) and the Distinguished Citizen Award – Anambra State Development Foundation (2003).

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Fellow Institute of Credit Administrators (FCA) and an Honorary Member, Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN). Mr. Akabueze is a distinguished banker, accountant, economist and administrator, he holds a first class B.Sc degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos and is an Alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School.

He is a senior pastor in The Redeemed Christian Church of God.