PRES. TINUBU OVER FEC MEETING

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At the Aso Chamber of the State House in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over the Federal Executive Council meeting.

At the administration’s tenth FEC meeting, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Head of Service Dr. Folashade Yemi Esan, and at least forty-five ministers are sitting.

It was noted that the council will discuss and perhaps approve a memorandum about the “revamping of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund” during today’s meeting.

This occurred when the SGF brought up a change in item #3 on the agenda—”Approval for the revamping of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund”—to the council members prior to the President’s arrival.

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Tinubu inaugurated the FEC on August 28, 2023, officially moving meetings from the customary Wednesdays to Mondays.

Article 144 (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) recognises the “Executive Council of the Federation” (the Federal Executive Council) as the “body of Ministers of the Government of the Federation, howsoever called, established by the President and charged with such responsibilities for the functions of government as the President may direct.”

The council’s purpose is to formulate policies, execute government projects, and, more broadly, aid the President in discharging his executive functions.

The President, Vice President, and the designated ministers make up the majority of the council, which is based in the Cabinet Affairs Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The President must seek advice from other constitutionally mandated advisory bodies, such as the Council of State, the National Security Council, and the Nigeria Police Council, among others, and act upon their recommendations, as stated in Article 148(2) of the Constitution. These bodies meet periodically to provide advice and recommendations.

According to the CAO, “the FEC meets weekly to discuss scheduled items and take decisions.”

However, the Tinubu-led cabinet has only met 10 times within the past 31 weeks of its inauguration.

On October 16, 2023, the Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, explained that the council will meet only when there are memoranda to consider.

“The President has approved that Federal Executive Council meeting will now be happening on Mondays as against the traditional Wednesdays that we are used to.

“So FEC meetings have been moved to Mondays. Of course that does not mean that it has to happen every week.

“If there are no issues to discuss, it will be skipped to the next week,” Idris had explained.