The conference held at the Commission’s head office in Abuja on Tuesday followed a governmental regulation dated October 14, 2026, authorising a detailed financial and technical evaluation of existing financing plans in partnership with pertinent Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government to adress relentless monetary difficulties bedeviling the country’s diplomatic objectives.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Shehu revealed extensive gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the prompt intervention, keeping in mind that the President was especially dedicated to discovering a long lasting service to the issue.
Stressing the President’s expectations, the RMAFC Chairman specified that, “Mr President is extremely enthusiastic about this workout. He anticipates us to come up with something that is practical, that can be carried out and that can resolve this issue as soon as and for all.” He as a result charged members of the Working Group to approach the project with a clear sense of function and dedication to producing suggestions that would equate into useful policy results.
Explaining the tactical significance of Nigeria’s diplomatic objectives, Dr. Shehu observed that they are “The long-lasting signs of our sovereignty and the primary instruments of our global engagement.” He described that these objectives act as vital platforms for securing the interests and well-being of Nigerians abroad, enhancing bilateral and multilateral relations, advancing trade and financial investment, and predicting the self-respect and goals of the nation.
He warned that their capability to release these obligations ought to not be weakened by persistent unpredictability in the arrangement and administration of necessary resources.
According to him, the Commission’s issue developed from observations throughout main research study engagements and interactions with workers of Nigerian objectives in a number of nations, which highlighted the functional repercussions of financing restrictions and the requirement for a more reputable institutional action.
Positioning RMAFC’s participation within its constitutional required, Dr. Shehu pointed out Paragraph 32(c), Part I of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as modified), which empowers the Commission to encourage the Federal and State Governments on financial effectiveness and techniques of increasing profits. He worried that the Commission’s intervention was planned to enhance, and not to trespass upon, the statutory duties of other organizations. “Rather, we look for to match these duties by uniting the needed financial, administrative and functional know-how in pursuit of a typical nationwide goal,” he specified.
The Chairman revealed that the governmental regulation of October 14, 2026, mandates the Working Group to carry out an extensive financial and technical evaluation and send its report, together with a program of action for application, not behind December 11, 2026.
Describing the crucial problems before the Working Group, Dr. Shehu charged members to carry out an honest evaluation of existing financing plans, recognize the underlying reasons for monetary instability, examine proper options and advise a structure that is transparent, foreseeable, economical and sustainable within the truths of Nigeria’s public financial resources.
He encouraged versus restricting the proposed service to increased monetary appropriations, stressing that the evaluation should likewise take a look at the timeliness and predictability of fund releases, spending plan formula and execution, forex steps, expense management and the prioritisation of vital diplomatic dedications.
He even more motivated members to draw from pertinent worldwide experiences while making sure that proposed options show Nigeria’s strange constitutional, legal and institutional scenarios.
To make sure the trustworthiness and useful worth of the workout, the RMAFC Chairman determined 3 directing concepts: evidence-based conclusions anchored on dependable monetary, monetary and functional information; inclusive considerations that make use of the requireds and useful experiences of all getting involved organizations; and suggestions that are implementable, lawfully sound and responsive to dominating financial restrictions.
He stressed that the project needs to not be considered as a questions into institutional imperfections or a workout in allocating blame, however as a useful effort to attain higher coherence throughout federal government and develop a resilient financing plan commensurate with Nigeria’s diplomatic duties and global standing.
Dr. Shehu even more laid out the instant top priorities of the Working Group to consist of the contract on clear Terms of Reference, advancement of a structured work strategy, recognition of particular info and paperwork needed from getting involved organizations, and decision of methods for broader stakeholder assessments.
He worried that the last report needs to exceed determining existing obstacles and charged members to present assessed financing choices, suggest a favored strategy and supply a useful application structure defining timelines, institutional obligations and required administrative or legal steps.
While requiring the complete cooperation of all getting involved organizations, the Chairman prompted them to accord the workout the top priority it should have and make sure prompt access to trusted info, in addition to sufficient institutional assistance for their agents. He guaranteed members that RMAFC would offer the needed secretariat coordination and technical assistance to assist in the project.
Revealing self-confidence in the capability of the Working Group to provide on its required, Dr. Shehu specified that he anticipated the cumulative experience and expert proficiency of its members to produce a report for governmental factor to consider that would be strenuous in analysis, determined in its suggestions and reasonable in its application.
He repeated that Nigeria’s diplomatic existence abroad might not be sustained by event alone, however depended upon the institutional capability to honour the nation’s commitments, protect its workers, react to the requirements of its people and engage worldwide partners with self-confidence. He for that reason highlighted the significance of stabilizing the functional requirements of foreign objectives with financial discipline, responsibility and sensible management of public resources.
RMAFC Federal Commissioners present at the conference consisted of Hon. Ibrahim Bako Shettima (Niger State); Hon. (Barr.) Rakiya Tanko Ayuba Haruna, mni (Kebbi State); Amb. (Prof.) Steve Ugba (Benue State); Amb. Ayuba Jacob Ngbako (Federal Capital Territory); Hon. Muhammed Kabir Mashi, OON (Katsina State); and Hon. (Dr.) Enefe Ekene (Anambra State).
Other dignitaries present consisted of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, Senior Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs, Amb. Oluremi Olumide; and the Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, DCG Franka Halliday, mni. Agents of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), along with other stakeholders in participation.
RMAFC Directors present consisted of Usman Kukandaka Umar, mni, Director, Allocation Department and Secretary of the Presidential Technical Working Group; Mr. Abdullahi Garba, Director, Finance and Accounts; Mr. Ahmed Rufai Gidado, Director, Federation Account Department; and Mr. Mohammed Gidado Yahaya, Director, Chairman’s Office. Present were the Special Adviser to the RMAFC Chairman on Finance, Mr. Mohammed Auwal Wada, and the Special Adviser to the Chairman on Diversification, Prof. Muhyideen Oyebode.
The inaugural conference marks the beginning of a collaborated inter-agency effort to establish a sustainable financing structure for Nigeria’s diplomatic objectives, enhance their functional efficiency and guarantee that the nation’s global commitments are released within a transparent, responsible and fiscally accountable structure.
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