Tell me if I should change ministers - President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that Nigerians should pass a verdict on the performance of his appointed officials during the administration’s first year in office so that he will know if he should change them. Asked if Nigerians should expect changes in his team during this anniversary period Buhari said, “I am waiting for the newspapers to tell me the performance of my ministers and whether I should make changes.”

President Buhari explained why his government took off rather slowly. He said former President Obasanjo, who had experience with hand over and take over, recalled that in 1999 outgoing Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar made each ministry to prepare handing over notes and then brief the president-elect, for him to choose what he wanted out of it.

Presidency receives clean budget details from joint committee

The Presidency last night received the report of the committee set up to look into the contentious areas in the 2016 budget.

The committee was constituted at the end of the meeting of President Muhammdu Buhari with the leadership of the National Assembly last Tuesday.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, led the executive arm in the committee and the Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun Suleimon, was in charge of the legislature.

President Buhari needs more time to sign 2016 budget - minister

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari needs more time to check the 2016 budget bill before signing it, a government minister said on Wednesday, signaling further delays before the legislation takes effect.

The budget for Africa's top oil producer has been held up for months as Buhari had to withdraw his original bill, which set spending at a record $30 billion, in January, due to an unrealistic oil price assumption and flaws in the draft.

Lawmakers approved an amended bill last month but said last week they would hold new talks with the government to discuss "areas of concern" after local media reported disputes over details.

"On the 2016 budget we are still talking," Udoma Udo Udoma, minister for budget and national planning told reporters. He declined further comment.