By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has revealed that the implementation of capital projects across the country is significantly higher than figures often reported in the public domain.

It promised to launch a more transparent reporting system that will enable Nigerians to track budget performance in real time.

The government also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had directed the harmonisation of federal projects to improve transparency, coordination and public accountability.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, stated this during a panel session titled Reforms in Focus: The Milestones, the Challenges, the Prospects, at the fifth Nigeria Employers’ Summit in Abuja.

The minister admitted that the government could do better in budget implementation but maintained that the narrative around poor execution of capital projects did not fully reflect reality.

“On public finance and budget implementation, especially capital projects, I would agree that we can do much better with our budget, including what we budget for and how we implement it.

“But I can also tell you that budget implementation is far better than what you see and what you hear. Take capital budget implementation, for example. Some of it is not properly reported.

“You see, some of the execution of capital projects is done at the agency level. Some of them are landmark and legacy projects, and because of the nature of these projects, the reporting does not come in immediately.”

According to him, the delay in reporting has created a gap between actual project implementation and public perception. He said the Ministry of Finance was already working on a system that would provide a clearer and more transparent picture of government spending and project execution.

“Part of the work we are doing at the Ministry of Finance is to provide this reporting in a way that is clear and transparent. Very soon, you will find that the information will be readily available simply by going to the Ministry of Finance website.

“You will see that the percentage of implementation of capital projects is much higher than what you read in the newspapers,” he stated.

Mr Oyedele further disclosed that the government was working with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to reform project implementation and consolidate information on federal projects on one platform.

“We are also working with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on the reforms that we need for projects. Mr President has already given the direction that we should harmonise the projects. Having just one platform where you can find everything at once is a lot better for transparency and accountability,” he said.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Governor of Kwara State, Mr AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has removed his Deputy Chief of Staff and the Principal Private Secretary.

In a statement on Monday by his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mr Mashood AbdulRafiu Agboola, it was disclosed that the Governor also removed all Special Advisers, Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and Special Assistants in the “minor cabinet shake-up.

It was explained that the action was to extend opportunities to more party members and inject fresh energy into the administration.

Mr AbdulRazaq directed them to hand over all government properties in their custody to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

He thanked the affected appointees for selfless service to the state and his administration, wishing them well in their future endeavours.

“His Excellency expresses his gratitude to all the appointees for their priceless service to the state. He wishes them the best in their future endeavours,” the statement noted.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has announced that another batch of Nigerians will be evacuated from South Africa on Tuesday as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard citizens ahead of planned anti-immigrant protests in the country.

Anti-immigrant groups in South Africa have set a June 30 deadline for immigrants to leave the country, planning widespread demonstrations on that date and threatening a national shutdown if the country’s government does not take significant action on immigration.

According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, an Air Peace aircraft departed Nigeria on Monday and is expected to return to Lagos on Tuesday morning with another group of Nigerians who opted for voluntary evacuation.

The latest operation comes as anti-immigration groups prepare to stage demonstrations from June 30. The government has continued its evacuation programme for Nigerians who have indicated a willingness to return home.

Providing details of the latest flight, Mr Ebienfa said, “Nigeria will resume the evacuation of our nationals from South Africa today.

“Air Peace aircraft will depart Nigeria today, Monday, June 29, 2026, at 3:00 pm and is expected to arrive in South Africa at approximately 9:00 pm local time.

“The return flight is scheduled to depart South Africa at 12:00 midnight and is expected to arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday morning.”

He added that 271 Nigerians are expected to arrive on the evacuation flight.

President Tinubu approved the voluntary evacuation programme earlier this month to enable Nigerians willing to leave South Africa to return home safely.

Earlier in June, the federal government disclosed that five Air Peace evacuation flights had been approved after more than 500 Nigerians were screened for repatriation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the flights were intended to ensure that all registered Nigerians who wished to return would be evacuated safely.

Before the latest operation, 328 Nigerians had already been repatriated in two batches. The first flight, which landed on June 11, brought back 262 returnees, while a second batch of 66 arrived in Lagos on June 25.

The evacuation exercise is being coordinated by the Federal Government in partnership with Air Peace and other relevant agencies.