Taiwo Francis Akerele, (born March 30, 1976),[1] is a Nigerian policy economist, author[2] and politician, who served as the Chief of Staff, Edo State government in Nigeria from 2016,[3] in the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, until he resigned his appointment on April 25, 2020.[4]
Taiwo Akerele | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 30, 1976 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, author, policy economist |
Education and career
editAkerele studied at Harvard University, Carleton University, Stellenbosch University, the World Bank Institute, the University of Ibadan, and the University of Benin and was a founding member of the Center for Values in Leadership, Lagos Business School.[5] Before his appointment as the Chief of Staff, Edo State, Akerele was a Strategy Group Agent at the United Bank for Africa. He also worked at the First City Monument Bank, and the defunct Fidelity Union Merchant Bank, where he served in the compulsory National Youth Service Corps scheme.[6]
Prior to his political appointment, Akerele was the Project Coordinator for the World Bank Public Financial Management and Youth Employment Program for Edo State, where he initiated budget reform programs, and the creation of public finance management and audit laws for the state government.[7] Akerele is also the Country Representative of Policy House International as well as the FCT Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors.[8]
In June 2022, Akerele was appointed as the Technical Adviser to the National Project Coordinator of the NGCares Project, a World Bank- assisted project in Nigeria. [1]
Politics
editIn 2017, Akerele decried the poor treatment of Nigerian migrants of Edo origin in Libya, and informed of the Edo State government's plan to ensure their safe return, re-integration and a state-sponsored economic empowerment policy that will improve the livelihood of returnees.[9]
On 25 April 2020, Akerele resigned his appointment as Chief of Staff, Edo State, to speculations that he was either at loggerheads with Godwin Obaseki or planned to change political parties.[10] However, Akerele said that his decision was based on "administrative and governance grounds". He also expressed his support for Governor Godwin Obaseki, and showed appreciation for the opportunity to serve in the Edo State government.[11]
Following Akerele's resignation as Chief of Staff, operatives of the State Security Service, Nigeria, also known as the Department of State Security, invaded his private residence and, reportedly, left with some files and documents[12]
In commemoration of Children's Day 2021 which, in Nigeria, is observed on May 27, Akerele warned that closure of schools in northern Nigeria, in response to the worsening security challenges, would only increase the number of out-of-school children from the current 10.5 million children to a projected 15 million by the end of 2021 "if the security challenges in parts of the North are not addressed and if the culture of school closures continues unabated."[13]
In July 2021, Akerele cited "weak" revenue mobilization as one of Nigeria's challenges, even though the country's debt profile is sustainable.[14] Before then, Akerele had urged the Nigerian government to back private sector lending from development partners, as a solution to accelerated infrastructural development.[15]
Akerele, in reacting to latest developments in Edo State politics, cautioned Nigeria's ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, to follow laid down constitutional procedures so as to prevent the imposition of candidates in the run-up to the 2023 General Elections.[16]
Personal life
editAkerele is an indigene of Igarra, in Akoko-Edo, Edo State, Nigeria.[17] He is married to Onayimi Akerele, with four children.[18][19]
Awards and recognition
editAkerele was recognized for his contributions towards human capital development in Nigeria at the Focus Africa Awards & Expo ceremony.[20]
In 2019, Akerele was awarded for Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice[21] for "championing an Open Government Partnership (OGP)" in Edo State[22]
In 2017, Akerele who was, at the time the Chief of Staff of Edo State, was honored with the name "Omokhafe" ("child is home") in Somorika, a community in his hometown Akoko Edo.This honor, conferred by HRH Oba Sule Idaiye, was in recognition of Akerele's community development efforts in favour of Akoko Edo[23]
References
edit- ^ a b "World Bank Assisted Project Programme appoints former Obaseki's COS, Akerele Technical Advisor". Vanguard News. 2022-06-08. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
- ^ "A Nigerian economist's reflection in 208 pages". Daily Trust. 2020-11-14. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
- ^ "Obaseki appoints SSG, COS, CPS". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
- ^ "'Why Obaseki's chief of staff suddenly resigned' - The Nation". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 2020-04-25. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
- ^ "Who Is Taiwo Akerele | Biography,Wiki,Profile,Education,Age,Wife,New Chief Of Staff". Latest News In South Africa Today. 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
- ^ "Who Is Taiwo Akerele | Biography,Wiki,Profile,Education,Age,Wife,New Chief Of Staff". Latest News In South Africa Today. 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ "1st Day of Office, New Chief Of Staff. Another move for concern". edoconnect. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
- ^ "Closure will increase number of out-of-school kids". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 2021-05-27. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
- ^ "We are tired of our people being sold for 20 dollars in Libya -Akerele, Edo Chief of Staff". Vanguard News. 2017-12-24. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ^ says, Prince Ebialomoh1 (2020-04-25). "Akerele: The 'poli-trics' of Obaseki's CoS resignation". P.M. News. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "'Why Obaseki's chief of staff suddenly resigned' - The Nation". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 2020-04-25. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ Perishable. "Breaking: DSS Invades Private Residence of Francis Taiwo Akerele". TELL. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ "Closure will increase number of out-of-school kids". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 2021-05-27. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
- ^ "Debt: Akerele Says Nigeria Not Insolvent, Debt Profile Sustainable". THISDAYLIVE. 2021-07-23. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ^ "Govt urged to guarantee private sector lending for infrastructure". Vanguard News. 2020-12-04. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ^ "Groups, Obaseki's ex-CoS caution Edo APC on primary elections". Vanguard News. 2022-01-06. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ^ "Taiwo Akerele, Obaseki's Chief of Staff bows out". P.M. News. 2020-04-25. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
- ^ "1st Day of Office, New Chief Of Staff. Another move for concern". edoconnect. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
- ^ "Who Is Taiwo Akerele | Biography,Wiki,Profile,Education,Age,Wife,New Chief Of Staff". Latest News In South Africa Today. 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
- ^ Report, Agency (2021-11-04). "Taiwo Akerele Honored, Dedicates Award To Out-of-School Children In Nigeria". Leadership News. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
- ^ "WE STAND BY OUR OPEN GOVERNMENT CHAMPIONS AWARDS TO GOV OBASEKI, OTHERS". ANEEJ. 2019-03-14. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ "Obaseki, others bag ANEEJ OGP awards". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2019-03-26. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
- ^ "Somorika monarch honours Edo Chief of Staff". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2017-12-31. Retrieved 2020-11-13.