Ben Akabueze
Ben Akabueze | |
|---|---|
| Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Federal Republic of Nigeria | |
| In office 2016–2024 | |
| Preceded by | Tijjani Mohammed Abdullahi |
| Succeeded by | Tanimu Yakubu |
| Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget for Lagos State | |
| In office 2007–2015 | |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Alma mater | University of Lagos Harvard Kennedy School |
| Occupation | Chartered Accountant |
Ben Akabueze is a Nigerian chartered accountant and the former Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Federal Republic of Nigeria.[1] He served as the CEO of NAL Bank Plc (now Sterling Bank Plc) and was for over two terms Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget with the Lagos State Government.[2][3][4][5]
Education and personal life
[edit]Akabueze obtained a B.Sc in Accounting from the University of Lagos and a postgraduate certificate in Management from the Lagos Business School.[6] He also holds a certificate in economic development from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, USA.
He is the Pastor-in-charge of Lagos Province 39 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God[7] and is married to Ngozi, the Head of Foundations of Sapphires (a non profit organisation)[8] and CEO of Havilah Technologies Ltd.
Career
[edit]Akabueze was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of NAL Bank Plc in 2000 a post he retained till its merger in December 2005 to become Sterling Bank Plc, at which he served as Executive Director.[9] He was thereafter in January 2007 appointed as the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget by the Lagos State Government, a position he held till May 2015.[7] In February 2016 he was appointed as Special Adviser to the President on National Planning and was made the Director General of Budget Office in June.[3] On 17 May 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari reappointed Akabueze as the Director General of Budget Office.[10] He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the Institute of Credit Administration (FCA), and the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIBN)[5]
Akabueze is also the head pastor of The King's Court Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).[11]
Public speaking
[edit]As the Director General of Nigeria's Budget Office he has engaged in public speaking at several events, including the Lagos Business School breakfast club, where he spoke on budget and national strategy; leverage and synergy potentials;[12] KPMG's Nigeria Tax Breakfast seminar, where he made a presentation on key objectives and expected impact of the FGN 2021 Budget, making a case for the need for increased domestic revenue by state governments;[13] and other events, where he continues to advocate for increased domestic revenue generation and more efficient management of allocated revenue.[14][15][16]
Legal issues
[edit]In October 2022, a retired staff of the Budget Office of the Federation, Bilkisu Sannusi accused Akabueze, of abuse of power in a suit filed at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. She alleged that Akabueze, the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, in collaboration with officials of the Finance Ministry and the Head of Service of the Federation had removed her name from payment vouchers, due to her refusal to compromise on the manipulation of budget proposals by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA).[17]
References
[edit]- ^ "FG raises MDAs operating surplus to N916.87bn". The Punch.
- ^ "Buhari appoints Ben Akabueze, DG Budget Office – Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ a b "Ben Akabueze". Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "Lagos IGR hits N20b monthly – The Nation Nigeria". The Nation Nigeria. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ a b Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation (2019). "Biography Akabueze Ben Ifeanyi". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020.
- ^ "Biography/Profile/ History Of Mr Ben Ifeanyi Akabueze the Newly Appointed Special Adviser to President on National Planning. – Daily Media Nigeria". dailymedia.com.ng. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ a b "Our Head Pastor | Ben Akabueze". RCCG The King's Court Lagos. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "NGOZI AKABUEZE – Economy is changing women – The Nation Nigeria". The Nation Nigeria. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ "LBS Alumnus Becomes DG of Budget Office". Lagos Business School. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Buhari Renews Akabueze's Tenure as Budget Office DG". THISDAYLIVE. 17 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Our Head Pastor | Ben Akabueze". RCCG The King's Court Lagos. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
- ^ "Ben Akabueze Speaks at Lagos Business School Breakfast Club". Proshare. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ Uchechukwumgemezu, Chidinma (21 April 2021). "Ben Akabueze on Increased Domestic Revenue". Today Nigeria. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ Soji-ojo, Akinwande (5 May 2021). "Spend More on Infrastructure by Ben Akabueze". Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ Emejo, James (6 January 2021). "Insufficient Budget to Meet the People's needs". Thisday live. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ Elumoye, Deji (10 November 2020). "Ben Akabueze on Payment of Workers Salaries". Thisday live. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ Ejekwonyilo, Ameh (31 October 2022). "Alleged Budget Padding: Court to hear retired civil servant's suit against ministry, budget office". Thisday live. Retrieved 14 April 2023.