ABUJA: President Bola Tinubu has appointed renowned chartered accountant and financial management consultant, Kunle Elebute, as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).
The appointment, announced by the Presidency on Thursday, June 18, is aimed at strengthening corporate governance, promoting transparency and accountability, and boosting investor confidence in Nigeria’s financial reporting system.
According to the statement, the move reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening reforms and improving standards within the country’s financial ecosystem.
The appointment reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening corporate governance, enhancing investor confidence, and deepening transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s financial reporting ecosystem,” the statement said.
Kunle Elebute is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) with more than four decades of professional experience spanning Nigeria, West Africa and the global financial sector.
He previously served as Senior Partner and Chief Executive Officer of KPMG Nigeria, Chairman of KPMG West Africa, and Chairman of KPMG Africa. He also held positions on KPMG’s regional and global boards, including membership of the Global Board Audit Committee.
The Presidency described him as a highly respected professional with extensive expertise in auditing, financial advisory services, risk consulting, strategic transformation and corporate governance.
The appointment is part of President Tinubu’s broader efforts to implement economic reforms since assuming office in 2023. His administration began with the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, measures aimed at restructuring the economy and attracting investment
The announcement sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, with some praising the choice and others questioning the regional balance of appointments.
Segun Benson argued that another qualified candidate from a different part of the country should have been considered.
I would have expected Mr President to appoint a qualified person from another region… no shades,” he said.Dimeji Lawal noted that the real test would be the impact of the appointment. The appointment is one thing. The impact of the appointment is what Nigerians will be watching.
Another commenter, Danjuma, claimed that Tinubu’s appointments were beginning to resemble the pattern associated with former President Muhammadu Buhari. I like Tinubu for this, he is following the footsteps of Buhari, who fulanised Nigeria with his appointments, he wrote.
However, Shamsuddeen welcomed the decision and praised the President’s choice. That’s another wonderful selection by President Tinubu GCFR by appointing Mr Elebute. Congratulations sir, he said.
In a related development, President Tinubu’s recently appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, was elected Chairman of the Budget and Administration Committee of the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee.
His emergence comes as the United Nations grapples with a budget deficit estimated at over $1.8 billion following reductions in foreign aid contributions.
Ibrahim, a former senator, expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to provide strategic leadership and sound corporate governance.
