Nigeria’s Audacious Quest: Unlocking National Assets for Financial Prosperity
By Patience Ikpeme
Forget oil wells and export fees – Nigeria’s new game plan for financial prosperity looks to unlock a hidden treasure trove: its own national assets. In a bold move, the government has tasked the newly inaugurated Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) with a seemingly impossible mission – tripling the value of these assets to a staggering N100 trillion within the next decade.
Minister of Finance Wale Edun paints a picture of untapped wealth, estimating the current value of these assets at a modest N18 trillion. However, he believes a thorough valuation will reveal a much larger figure, suggesting the potential for explosive financial growth.
He envisions MOFI transforming into a world-class organization like Singapore’s GIC or Mubadala of the UAE, utilizing best practices in governance, transparency, and accountability to maximize returns for the Nigerian people.
Edun demanded for “boldness, courage, and aggression” from the MOFI board, urging them to seize opportunities and deliver on their ambitious target.
He drew parallels with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent high-performance expectations for the NNPCL board, emphasizing the seriousness of the government’s intent. This is not just an economic strategy; it’s a promise to the Nigerian people, delivered in an era of “no more broken promises.”
The focus on national assets marks a significant shift away from traditional revenue sources like oil exports. Oil remains crucial, but Edun recognizes the potential of hidden assets to significantly bolster the government’s financial muscle. These assets, ranging from infrastructure to investments, can generate returns and contribute directly to the national budget.
Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, MOFI Chairman, echoed Wale Edun’s optimism, assuring Nigerians that their assets are “in safe hands.”
He highlighted the board’s commitment to integrity and a strict code of conduct, emphasizing that asset management will always prioritize the national interest.
Recognizing potential overlap with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dr. Usman pledged collaboration and flexibility, tailoring asset divestment on the capital market to each case’s unique circumstances.
The N100 trillion target is undeniably ambitious, bordering on audacious. Doubters point to potential roadblocks like bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption risks, and challenges in accurately valuing and managing such a diverse range of assets. The success of MOFI hinges on its ability to navigate these challenges and implement its plans with rigor and transparency.
The MOFI Board is made up of a one-time Minister of Finance, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, who will served as the Board Chairman, with Dr. Armstrong Ume Takang, an astute technocrat, as the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director.
Other members include Tajudeen Datti Ahmed as Executive Director, Portfolio Management; Femi Ogunseinde, Executive Director, Investment Management; Oluwakemi Owonubi-Babalogbon, Executive Director, Risk. Fatima Nana Mede is a Non-Executive Director, just as Ike Chioke, Chantelle Abdul, Alheri Nyako, and Bolaji Rafiu Elelu.
Nigeria’s ambition to unlock its hidden wealth through national assets is a gamble, but one with potentially transformative rewards. Whether MOFI can turn audacious dreams into tangible dividends for the Nigerian people remains to be seen.
This audacious move, however, marks a bold shift in economic strategy, signaling a newfound focus on diversifying revenue streams and unlocking the immense potential held within the nation’s own hands.
