President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a major development within Nigeria's civil service has reappointed Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein as the substantive Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), extending her tenure until March 7, 2025.
This decision comes amidst a backdrop of administrative reshuffling and political maneuvering that has seen Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, previously appointed as the Acting Accountant General, reassigned to the Public Service Institute of Nigeria as Director of Accounts.
The reappointment of Dr. Madein was confirmed through a letter issued by the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and was officially acknowledged on December 20, 2024. This move effectively reinstates Dr. Madein to oversee treasury operations, a role she had been fulfilling before her pre-retirement leave.
The decision to extend her tenure has been met with enthusiasm from her supporters, who commend her dedication to completing key projects and reforms initiated during her previous term.
The appointment of Mr. Ogunjimi as Acting Accountant General had initially been announced following Dr. Madein's pre-retirement leave. However, tensions arose within the civil service as President Tinubu reportedly stayed action on Ogunjimi’s appointment, leading to his redeployment.
Insiders attribute this reversal to a power tussle among political heavyweights in the presidency, the finance ministry, and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).
Mr. Bawa Mokwa, spokesperson for the OAGF, clarified that embarking on terminal leave is optional under civil service regulations, leaving staff uncertain about whether Dr. Madein’s reinstatement invalidates Ogunjimi’s prior appointment. While the letter did not explicitly nullify Ogunjimi’s appointment, it appears to have delayed his assumption of the Acting AGF role pending a final decision by President Tinubu.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in Mr. Ogunjimi's capabilities, acknowledging his extensive experience in financial management across both public and private sectors.
Ogunjimi, a chartered accountant and certified fraud examiner, has held various positions, including Director of Funds at the OAGF and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Despite the reassignment, Tinubu commended Dr. Madein for her dedication and selfless service to the nation.
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