Podcast appearances and mentions of zainab ahmed

Gudaha Soomaaliya waxaa ugu barakacay in ku dhaw 4 malyan muwaadiniin ah sababo la xiriira musiibooyinka dabiiciga ah, kuwa amni darrada la xirriira iyo sababo la xiriira raadinta nolol iyo adeeg ka tayo wacan midka ay heystaan. Tirada ugu badan ee barakacayaashaas oo lagu qiyaasay 1.4 malyan ayaa ku sugan gobolka Benaadir iyo hareerahiisa. Sidoo kale, tiro badan oo barakacayaasha kamid ah ayaa la sheegaa in ay kasoo jeedaan beelaha laga tirada badan yahay, kuwaasoo dhibaatada barakaca ay u dheer tahay dhibaatooyinka bulshada ay kala kulmaan. Barakacayaasha kasoo jeeda beelaha laga tirada badan yahay ayaa culeysyo kala kulma helidda adeegyada asaasiga ah oo ay bixiyaan hay'adaha gargaarka iyo hay'adaha dowladda. Sidoo kale, dadkaasi waxa ay dhibaato kala kulmaan isdhexgalka bulshada degaannada ay kusoo barakaceen, gaar ahaan Muqdishu iyo hareeraheeda.  Maamulka Gobolka Benaadir, gaar ahaan xafiiska Xalka Waara, ayaa ah hay'adda ka masuulka ah in xal waara loo helo dadka gobolka kusoo barakacay. Sidoo kale, xafiiska waxa uu kaalin ku leeyahay isku xirka maamulka gobolka Benaadir, dowladda federalka ah, deeq bixiyeyaasha caalamiga ah, hay'daha gargaarka, bulshada rayidka iyo dadka barakcayaasha ah.Podcast-gan waxa Zaynab Axmed oo ah Agaasimaha Xafiiska Xalka Waara ee Maamulka Gobolka Benaadir iyo Aweys Axmed oo ah Agaasimaha SPA Policy Lab ay ku falanqeynayaan kaalinta Maamulka Gobolka Benaadir ee taageeridda beelaha laga tirada badan yahay ee barakacayaasha kamid ah iyo ururrada bulshada rayidka ah ee u dhaqdhaqaaqa guud ahaan beelaha la heyb sooco. Podcast-gaan waxaa iska kaashaday Somali Public Agenda, ReDSS (Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat), Danwadaag Consortium iyo USAID.Contact Somali Public Agenda's Adeeg Wanaag Podcast · Tweet us at @somalipubagenda, @aweisade (the host), and @SPAPolicyLab · Email us at podcasts@somalipublicagenda.org Thanks for listening!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjEqWLLncfs The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month, Sivan spoke to Zainab Ahmed. Zainab is a volunteer with The Lantern Initiative, which is a Muslim mental health charity. She also works for How Are You Peterborough as a digital and communication specialist, where she regularly engages with the Muslim community to understand what they need from mental health services. The projects Zainab has been involved with include facilitating weekly Chai & Chat sessions, assisting at Connecting Muslim Mums sessions, delivering workshops and organising and hosting events. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing and going for walks. Their discussion explored: The different types of OCD, including religious OCD and relationship OCD Her journey towards receiving a diagnosis and what helped her on her healing journey More about Exposure Response Therapy (ERT) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) How she struggled with negative, intrusive thoughts and what helped in dealing with them The misconceptions surrounding OCD and how its not only about cleaning More about her work with The Lantern Initiative & so much more! You can reach out to The Lantern Initiative in one of the following ways: Email: Salam@thelanterninitiative.co.uk Website: https://www.thelanterninitiative.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelanterninitiativeuk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelanterninitiative/?hl=en Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/lantern_uk If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at podcast@inspiritedminds.org.uk. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

Nigerians are anxiously waiting to find out who will lead the country after the hotly contested presidential election over the weekend. Like in many countries the last few years have brought on a number of challenges, including the pandemic, volatile energy prices and a currency at an all-time low. Joining the show to discuss is Nigerian Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed.  Also on today's show: CNN's Nic Robertson brings you breaking news on an apparent deal between the UK and the EU to overhaul the Northern Island Brexit protocol. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

A proposal for the creation of new agencies to monitor and evaluate Federal Government projects by the National Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies has been rejected by the Federal Government. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, argued this at the opening session of the Dialogue on the National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy and Women's Economic Empowerment at the State House, Abuja. Ahmed says the Federal Government had upgraded its monitoring and evaluation framework by involving citizens in its projects.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Telecommunication consumers under the aegis of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers have dragged the Federal Government to court over its plan to implement a five percent excise duty on telecom services. The National President, NATCOMS, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, says the suit is against the imposition and implementation of excise duty and the continued imposition and implementation of Value Added Tax on telecom services. The suit is praying the court declare VAT on telecom services as unconstitutional and illegal, and declare the implementation of excise duty on telecoms as null and void. The Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, the tax will help boost the government's revenue.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, says the federal government is currently working to create fiscal incentives to encourage private sector investment in education. The minister says the recent increase in attacks on educational institutions had made it imperative that the federal government prepares a holistic national plan, with inputs from states and key relevant sectors to create a safe learning environment in the country. Ahmed pointed out that it was crucial to secure the education of the children as this remained vital for the economic progress and attainment of the much-needed social development indices in the country.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4090160/advertisement

Mental health has increased in visibility within the past few years. Especially among youth it has become an increasingly persistent challenge. The way that society and our culture views mental health can help with overcoming it. However, as we examine differences between Utah in the United States and Yemen, we find there are many faucets to the issue. There may be many hurdles to overcome, but humanity has proven countless time we can face these challenges. This podcast was produced by Utah State University students: Spencer Wing, Grace Parnell, Sarah Pomeroy, and Jacob Sagers and Yemeni students: Saleh Mahfood, Maram Ahmed, Zainab Ahmed, and Abdulrhman Nabil. The podcast was produced with the help of Kerning Cultures Network. This episode was produced by Elephant in the Room. Qisasna, or “Our Stories,” is a product of a cross-cultural exchange podcast training program featuring 320 Yemeni and American students in four cohorts, or 640 students. Qisasna is sponsored by the Aspen Institute's Stevens Initiative and funded by the U.S. Department of State. Amideast, in partnership with ICRD, YFCA, Hadhramout Foundation, and Kerning Cultures, implements the Qisasna Project.

The Federal Government says that it will stop the payment of fuel subsidy by the end of June 2023. The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, says that in the 2023 fiscal period, the government has made provisions of N3. 36 trillion naira for fuel subsidy payments to cover the first six months of this year. The minister noted that the nation's revenue performance as of November 2022 stood at 6. 5 trillion nairas, representing 87 percent of the set target of 7. 8 trillion naira for the year. An analysis of the key contributors to the revenue collection includes a 586 billion collection from the Federal Government, Customs – N15 billion, an independent revenue collection of N1.3 trillion as well as a N3.7trillion collection from other sources of revenue.

The Federal Government approved a new whistleblower draft bill. It also lamented that the existing whistle-blowing policy launched on December 21, 2016, was losing momentum. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Ahmed, says the Council approved the draft bill to strengthen the fight against corruption and protect whistleblowers that provide helpful information to the FG.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, faulted the recent endorsement of the naira redesign by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the policy may be declared illegal in court. The Central Bank of Nigeria earlier said it will redesign the N200, N500, and N1,000 notes to take control of the currency in circulation. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said she wasn't consulted by the apex bank on the initiative, Buhari backed the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, saying he is fully in support of the policy. Falana, says the President is expected to present a money bill to the National Assembly for approval before the actualisation of the policy.

The Federal Government has called on the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, and other stakeholders to synergize with the Nigerian Customs Service to achieve 15, 000 monthly scanners' capacity. The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Ahmed, urged the management of the Nigeria Customs Service to collaborate with contractors of the scanners for easy maintenance. Ahmed says that the newly commissioned scanners had the capacity to detect prohibited imports concealed in cargoes, adding that the scanners would also help to boost the revenue of the service.

The Senate Committee on Power has summoned Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, to over N147 billion included in the capital project of the Ministry of Power. The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Gabriel Suswam, claimed that the committee could not explain how the funds for the multilateral projects in the power sector were being expended. Suswam says the actual capital budget of the Ministry of power for the 2023 is N44 billion while N147 billion is meant for bilateral and multilateral projects.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://osazuwaakonedo.news/finance-minister-to-senators-invite-cbn-governor-over-naira-redesign-ive-no-idea/29/10/2022/ Finance Minister To Senators: Invite CBN Governor Over Naira Redesign, I've No Idea ~ OsazuwaAkonedo ###Dollar #budget #Buhari #Ekiti #Nigeria #Nigerian #Ahmed #cbn #Emefiele #Godwin #Muhammadu #Naira #Zainab https://osazuwaakonedo.news/finance-minister-to-senators-invite-cbn-governor-over-naira-redesign-ive-no-idea/29/10/2022/ Nigeria Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed has said she has no idea of the planned redesigning of the Naira notes as announced by --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/osazuwaakonedo/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/osazuwaakonedo/support

The Federal Government reiterated petrol subsidy will remain in place until mid-2023. Ahead of the 2023 budget presentation, The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed says the government is proposing to spend only N3.36 trillion on petrol subsidy in 2023. The minister added that the Federal Government is proposing an aggregate expenditure of N19.76 trillion for the 2023 financial year, with a projected deficit of N11.30 trillion. She says the Federal Government is projecting total revenue of N8.46 trillion, out of which N1.9 trillion is expected to come from oil-related sources while the remaining is to come from non-oil sources.

Gwamnatin Najeriya ta ce, tana kashe sama da Naira biliyan 18 kowacce rana a matsayin tallafin da take zubawa a bangaren man fetur domin ganin jama'ar kasar sun saya da arha, kamar yadda Ministar Kudi, Ministan kudi Zainab Ahmed ta bayyana. Tuni wannan bayani ya haifar da cece-kuce a cikin kasar, saboda yadda wannan gwamnati ta yi yakin zabe da shirin kawar da tallafin. Dangane da wannan kudade da ake kashewa, Bashir Ibrahim Idris ya zanta da Sanata Ibrahim Tsauri. Ku latsa alamar sauti domin sauraren cikakkiyar hirarsu.

The Federal Government has confirmed that it approved the purchase of vehicles worth N1.4 billion for the neighbouring Niger Republic to tackle insecurity. The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed explained that providing intervention to the neighbouring Niger Republic is not new and it is the prerogative of President Muhammadu Buhari who approved the purchase. She says President Buhari has the right to make his own assessment of situations and give directives accordingly. She added that the financial support, which is primarily for the purpose of enhancing capacity to protect their territory, based on a request by the Nigerien Government, is also in the best interest of the country.

The Federal Government approved a new revenue boost scheme aiming to annually generate N3.8tn and N160bn from non-oil and oil ventures respectively. The Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, says the revenue mobilization reforms, will be accelerated and be derivative of the federal government's strategic revenue growth initiative. She added that the significant progress that has been made in this initiative includes the raising of the VAT from 5 per cent to 7 per cent and other measures since 2019.

The suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, has been released on bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the development of Channels Television. The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, suspended Idris adding that the move was necessitated by the need to allow for proper and unhindered investigation into the serious allegations in line with Public Service Rules.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed says Nigeria's low crude oil production means the country is barely able to cover the cost of imported petrol from its oil and gas revenue. Ahmed, says she hoped Nigerian oil production would average 1.6 million barrels per day this year, up from around 1.5 million BPD in the first quarter. She says the government had budgeted 1.8 million BPD of production blaming crude theft and attacks on oil infrastructure for the shortfall. Ahmed however says the revenue planned was low and barely able to cover the volumes that are required for the petrol that needed to be imported.

Dragon's Den star Deborah Meaden and BBC 5 Live's Felicity Hannah are on a mission to find out how your money matters in the fight against climate change.This week they tackle fashion. Primark has promised all its clothes will be made of sustainable materials by the end of the decade. Deborah and Fliss talk to the person in charge of making that happen, about cotton, polyester and whether clothes can be cheap AND green.Plus another great listener question. A busy mum wants to know if getting her shopping delivered is greener than driving to the supermarket.If you've got a question, email Deborah and Fliss at Greenmoney@bbc.co.ukFeaturing: Lynne Walker of Primark, Zainab Ahmed, founder of Pretty Sassy Lady and Professor Shelie Miller of the University of Michigan.Producer: Lexy O'Connor Studio manager: Joe Leates Digital videos: Samhar Gowhar Executive producer Natasha Johansson Series editor: Justin Bones

The federal government says its electricity deal with Siemens was on course, stating that the first phase of the programme under the Presidential Power Initiative would increase power supply to about 40 million Nigerians. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, says the unveiling of the training session was a milestone under the initiative. Ahmed assured that the collaborative effort with the implementing partner, Siemens, on the PPI was on track to bring positive change to the power sector. She says the Government had been driving the process by coordinating key stakeholders' input and working with the ministry of finance to secure financing and to enter into efficient commercial and contractual arrangements to deliver the PPI.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Zainab Ahmed, says that the Federal Government had postponed the planned removal of subsidies on petroleum products till further notice. The finance minister says the Federal Government initially had plans to remove subsidies on petroleum products from July this year. She says that was the reason adequate provision was made in the 2022 national budget for subsidy payment till June. She says the provision was made sequel to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act which indicated that all petroleum products would be deregulated.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Zainab Ahmed, says that the Federal Government had postponed the planned removal of subsidies on petroleum products till further notice. The finance minister says the Federal Government initially had plans to remove subsidies on petroleum products from July this year. She says that was the reason adequate provision was made in the 2022 national budget for subsidy payment till June. She says the provision was made sequel to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act which indicated that all petroleum products would be deregulated.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Zainab Ahmed, says that the Federal Government had postponed the planned removal of subsidies on petroleum products till further notice. The finance minister says the Federal Government initially had plans to remove subsidies on petroleum products from July this year. She says that was the reason adequate provision was made in the 2022 national budget for subsidy payment till June. She says the provision was made sequel to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act which indicated that all petroleum products would be deregulated.

In November 2021, Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance announced the government plans to finally and completely remove fuel subsidy and implement a 5,000 Naira cash transfer to Nigeria's vulnerable population in order to offset the impact. The argument is that the money saved from fuel subsidy would then go toward other development and infrastructural projects that the country badly needs. It's a very logical argument in theory. But does it make practical sense? ——————————————— This episode was produced by Rahmat Muhammad, Anthonieta Kalunta, Lucky Usamah, Uche Mbah, Dominic Tabakaji and Sam Tabakaji. Executive producer Rahmat Muhammad. Special thanks to Mala Iwa Gbado Ikaleku. Copyright © 2022 Triple-E Media Productions. All rights reserved. ——————————————— ▶︎Follow us @234.audio on Instagram, @234audio on Facebook, and @234audio on Twitter ▶︎Subscribe to our 234Audio YouTube channel ——————————————— If you are interested in sponsoring or licensing this program, reach out to us via WhatsApp at +234 818 230 1234 or send us e-mail at info@234audio.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thebackstoryng/support

President Mohammadu Buhari and Zainab Ahmed, his minister of finance, budget and national planning, appear set to go out all guns blazing in search of revenues in every available space for the federal treasury from the very first day of 2022 with a new Finance Bill 2021set to be passed into law this month.Buhari and Ahmed will be seeking to squeeze revenues in the form of taxes that will be imposed on such things as bets, lottery, app stores, foreign digital coys, among others, in a desperate bid to generate funds to boost dwindling revenues and finance the huge N5.62 trillion estimated budget deficits for fiscal 2022.Nigeria's fiscal performance has been poor for more than six years and Buhari's finance minister, Ahmed, has not particularly provided appropriate fiscal policy leadership for the economy, with a lot of the push seen to be provided by the monetary authorities, who have led on many occasions in place of the fiscal authorities. Even Ahmed's predecessor, Kemi Adeosun, did not fare better either.

Today on the Big Issue we will be discussing the controversy trailing the announcement by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, that the federal government was budgeting N5000 monthly transportation allowance for 40 million Nigerians.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a fresh N656.112 billion Bridge Financing Facility to the 36 States. The vice president's spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement says each state would receive N18.225 billion with a 30-year tenor, and a 2-year moratorium at an interest rate of 9%. The presidency says this step was taken in a bid to help state governments meet financial obligations, especially the previous budget support facility due for repayment. The Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, informed the Council that the Bridge Facility is now being processed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The finance minister had informed the Council that the deductions from State Governments would commence soon as repayment for the previous bailout from the CBN.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a fresh N656.112 billion Bridge Financing Facility to the 36 States. The vice president's spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement says each state would receive N18.225 billion with a 30-year tenor, and a 2-year moratorium at an interest rate of 9%. The presidency says this step was taken in a bid to help state governments meet financial obligations, especially the previous budget support facility due for repayment. The Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, informed the Council that the Bridge Facility is now being processed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The finance minister had informed the Council that the deductions from State Governments would commence soon as repayment for the previous bailout from the CBN.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a fresh N656.112 billion Bridge Financing Facility to the 36 States. The vice president's spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement says each state would receive N18.225 billion with a 30-year tenor, and a 2-year moratorium at an interest rate of 9%. The presidency says this step was taken in a bid to help state governments meet financial obligations, especially the previous budget support facility due for repayment. The Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, informed the Council that the Bridge Facility is now being processed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The finance minister had informed the Council that the deductions from State Governments would commence soon as repayment for the previous bailout from the CBN.

The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, says smuggling is responsible for the rising cost of rice in the country. The Minister says smuggling is affecting the market and hurting the citizens adding that there is a lot of distortion and the distortion is arising from the smuggling of goods into the country. She also reiterated the Federal Government's efforts in fighting to smuggle, noting that there is a combined team of the Nigerian Customs Service, Police, the Department of Security Services among others to rid the nation of economic saboteurs.

The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, says smuggling is responsible for the rising cost of rice in the country. The Minister says smuggling is affecting the market and hurting the citizens adding that there is a lot of distortion and the distortion is arising from the smuggling of goods into the country. She also reiterated the Federal Government's efforts in fighting to smuggle, noting that there is a combined team of the Nigerian Customs Service, Police, the Department of Security Services among others to rid the nation of economic saboteurs.

The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, says smuggling is responsible for the rising cost of rice in the country. The Minister says smuggling is affecting the market and hurting the citizens adding that there is a lot of distortion and the distortion is arising from the smuggling of goods into the country. She also reiterated the Federal Government's efforts in fighting to smuggle, noting that there is a combined team of the Nigerian Customs Service, Police, the Department of Security Services among others to rid the nation of economic saboteurs.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed has declared that a direct relationship exists between governance, poverty, and insecurity, stressing that poverty is a direct cause of insecurity.She pointed out that insecurity in turn further exacerbates poverty and impacts governance.She noted that there was a near-global consensus among world leaders, policy experts and academics that the fight against poverty was essential to ensuring global peace, security and stability.She says the federal government recognises that peace, justice, and accountable institutions were critical to the achievement of Nigeria's sustainable development agenda.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed has declared that a direct relationship exists between governance, poverty, and insecurity, stressing that poverty is a direct cause of insecurity.She pointed out that insecurity in turn further exacerbates poverty and impacts governance.She noted that there was a near-global consensus among world leaders, policy experts and academics that the fight against poverty was essential to ensuring global peace, security and stability.She says the federal government recognises that peace, justice, and accountable institutions were critical to the achievement of Nigeria's sustainable development agenda.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed has declared that a direct relationship exists between governance, poverty, and insecurity, stressing that poverty is a direct cause of insecurity.She pointed out that insecurity in turn further exacerbates poverty and impacts governance.She noted that there was a near-global consensus among world leaders, policy experts and academics that the fight against poverty was essential to ensuring global peace, security and stability.She says the federal government recognises that peace, justice, and accountable institutions were critical to the achievement of Nigeria's sustainable development agenda.

The federal government revealed that it spent over N1.5 trillion in managing the effects of COVID-19 in the country. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, says the growth rate was an indication that business and commercial activities had fully returned to the pre-pandemic level.The minister also predicted that if necessary economic measures and policies were put in place and sectors, such as agriculture, were improved upon, the economy would maintain a five per cent growth rate in the third quarter (Q3) of the year.

The federal government revealed that it spent over N1.5 trillion in managing the effects of COVID-19 in the country. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, says the growth rate was an indication that business and commercial activities had fully returned to the pre-pandemic level.The minister also predicted that if necessary economic measures and policies were put in place and sectors, such as agriculture, were improved upon, the economy would maintain a five per cent growth rate in the third quarter (Q3) of the year.

The federal government revealed that it spent over N1.5 trillion in managing the effects of COVID-19 in the country. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, says the growth rate was an indication that business and commercial activities had fully returned to the pre-pandemic level.The minister also predicted that if necessary economic measures and policies were put in place and sectors, such as agriculture, were improved upon, the economy would maintain a five per cent growth rate in the third quarter (Q3) of the year.

Africa is going through its first recession in more than a quarter of a century because of the global downturn caused by the Covid pandemic. The economic crisis is being keenly felt in Nigeria, the continent's most populous country. Its 200 million people are struggling with long-standing challenges, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic and deteriorating security. Zeinab Badawi speaks to Nigeria's finance minister, Zainab Ahmed. What is her plan to avert financial meltdown as well as help deliver stability?

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://osazuwaakonedo.com/nigeria-now-fully-out-of-recession___finance-minister-zainab-ahmed-osazuwaakonedo-2/25/05/2021/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/osazuwaakonedo/message

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://osazuwaakonedo.com/more-222/2021/05/05/18/49/32/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/osazuwaakonedo/message

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://osazuwaakonedo.com/2021/04/15/more-219/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/osazuwaakonedo/message

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged the federal government to restart the Safe Schools Initiative launched at the World Economic Forum in Abuja in May 2014 to protect schoolchildren from abductions.Okonjo-Iweala says that she had discussed the programme with President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed.She also expressed concerns that the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, as well as women-owned businesses, have been relegated in the country’s export drive.Okonjo-Iweala expressed optimism that a former British Prime Minister and United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Global Education, Mr Gordon and the UN would be willing to support Nigeria to restart the programme.

The Federal Government has approved N6.45 billion for the setting up of gas plants in 38 locations nationwide in a bid to enhance the treatment of COVID-19 patients who need oxygen.The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed while briefing the NEC on the release of the funds, said the President approved the release of the funds for the production of oxygen, necessitated by the increased number of patients who need oxygen due to the surge in Covid-19 infections in the country.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said that there is no provision in the 2021 Budget to fund the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines.

Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the immediate reopening of four land borders. This comes after they were closed in August 2019, to curb smuggling of goods and weapons.The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing State House correspondents after the virtual Federal Executive Council presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.The minister said the land borders to be opened are Seme in the South-West, Ilela in the North-West, Maigatari in the country's North-West and North-Central region and Mfun in the South-South.She said the four land borders will be opened immediately, while the remaining land borders are directed to be reopened on or before December 31.Ahmed said President Buhari also directed that while the borders were being reopened, the ban on the importation of rice, poultry and other products still subsisted and would be implemented by the border patrol team.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, say after the Federal Executive meeting on Wednesday, the committee on border closure wey President, Muhammadu Buhari, set up go soon submit its report. She still assure Nigerians sey the borders go soon open. For August 20, 2019, the government close land borders to stop smuggling and encourage local production dem still tell neighbouring countries sey make dem check smuggling from them side as part of the conditions before dem open borders.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, on Wednesday in Abuja, said there is no plan to review the 2021 budget currently before the National Assembly.Ahmed said even the consequential adjustment in the 2020 budget wholly addressed salary matters.

The Minister of Finance, National Planning and Budget, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, on Wednesday said the federal government was considering opportunities embedded in green bond and other sources of green finance to fund access to water, sanitation and hygiene.--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support

The Federal Executive Council meeting ended on Wednesday with a budget estimate of N13.08trn projected for the 2021 fiscal year. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this to journalists at the Presidential Villa. --- This episode is sponsored by · Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, has said when Dangote’s refinery begins operations next year, it may not lead to significant reduction in the price of petrol because it will be selling at the international price. Ahmed said this was because the refinery was located at the Export Processing Zone in Lagos State. The minister said this on the Nigerian Television Authority’s Good Morning Nigeria programme on Monday. --- This episode is sponsored by · Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the National Steering Committee to oversee Nigeria’s Agenda 2050. The committee is to ensure that the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) succeeds the Vision 20:2020 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017 – 2020. The team will be chaired by Mr Atedo Peterside and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed. The task before the group is to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within the next 10 years. President Buhari said it would oversee governance structure comprising the Central Working Group and 26 Technical Working Groups for the important national assignment. --- This episode is sponsored by · Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved $3.1 billion for the end to end automation of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed disclosed this at the end of the FEC virtual meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. According to her, the concessionary period is 20 years and the funding is solely from investors with the revenue expected from this automation pegged at $176bn. The Finance Minister gave a breakdown of the project funding, and stated that the investors will be paid overtime according to a schedule that will be negotiated with the Federal Government. --- This episode is sponsored by · Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support

The House of Representatives has stated that its investigation of the National Social Investment Programmes of the Federal Government is not about the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Wole Oke, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja made this known when the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Olusola Idowu, appeared before the panel. The committee had last week summoned the immediate past Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; the incumbent Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed; and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, to account for a total sum of N1.7tn appropriated for the implementation of the NSIP from 2016 to September 2019. --- This episode is sponsored by · Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support

The House of Representatives has summoned former Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; the incumbent Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed; and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, to account for a total sum of N1.7tn appropriated for the implementation of the National Social Investment Programmes from 2016 to September 2019. The House Committee on Public Accounts also summoned the incumbent and former permanent secretaries and desk officers involved in the implementation of the NSIPs in both the ministries and the National Social Investment Office. --- This episode is sponsored by · Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support

According to currency exchange operators, the Federal Government’s move to unify multiple exchange rates in the country will attract over $25bn diaspora remittances.The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had recently hinted of the Federal Government’s plans to unify the multiple exchange rates to generate more local currency from its dollar inflows and further achieve naira stability.The President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, while outlining the benefits of the unification, said It will attract over $25bn diaspora remittances, lead to increase liquidity and discourage speculation and hoarding.According to him, the unification of exchange rates is a mechanism for a shift in the static exchange rate regime to a flexible exchange rate regime, and remains the only solution to forex market rate stability.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nigeria’s finance minister, Zainab Ahmed, says the country's excess crude account held $72.41 million as of July 7.Ahmed gave the figure during a meeting of the country’s National Economic Council. The oil savings account, which holds dollar reserves from sales of crude above the assumed benchmark price, contained $324.54 million as of November 20 last year.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate on Wednesday summoned the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to brief it on measures to curb tax evasion by expatriates. The decision followed a motion by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Senator Gershom Basset. Also summoned were heads of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, the heads of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, among other relevant institutions. The panels are also expected to appraise of the FIRS’ current framework for tracing, identifying, preventing and sanctioning cross-border tax evasion and other illicit financial outflows. The Senate asked the committees to come up with a holistic legislative framework on how to repatriate lost revenue due to illicit financial flows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved the N2.3tn stimulus plan proposed in the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan designed to support the nation’s economy in the face of the disruptions and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan was designed by a committee led by Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo. The approval was given at a virtual meeting of the council presided over by the President Muhammadu Buhari. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting. She said the total package presented was a sum of N2.3tn; N500bn of which was a stimulus package that was already provided for in the amended 2020 Appropriation Act. She added that they were funds sourced from special accounts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, on Monday, reeled out the recovery plan of the Federal Government to save the power sector from collapse. Ahmed spoke at an investigative public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Power. She said the picture was not as gloomy as being painted since the Federal Government had embarked on series of recovery plans for the sector. The minister said part of the recovery plan for the sector was the N1.3tn already facilitated for it from the World Bank and other international creditors as payment assurance facility. The minister said, work on revamping the power sector is in progress and will start bearing fruits in no distant time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate Committee on Finance on Monday rejected the revenue targets projected for the various revenue-generating agencies in the country to fund the Revised 2020 Budget, describing their proposed sums as grossly inadequate. Members of the Senate panel also condemned in strong terms the explanation by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation that it spent $21 to produce a barrel of oil. They spoke when the heads of the various revenue-generating agencies including the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the NNPC, and the Nigeria Customs Service, led by the Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, appeared before the Senate panel to defend their proposals in the revised budget. The Chief Operating Officer of the NNPC (Upstream), Mr. Yemi Adetunji, told the panel that the agency reduced the production cost per barrel of crude oil from $25 proposed in the approved 2020 budget to $21 in the revised budget in line with the current realities. He said the NNPC was working with relevant stakeholders to reduce the administrative cost through a multi-disciplinary approach in terms of planning and engagement of various partners. --- This episode is sponsored by · Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, on Thursday met with the leaders of some key committees of the National Assembly to get their input for the revised 2020 budget. The budget is still being put together by the executive arm of government. The minister, who was accompanied by the Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Mr. Ben Akabueze, said the interactive session was a continuation of the process she had started with the leadership of the two chambers of the nation’s parliament on the proposed fiscal document. She spoke shortly before the meeting was held behind closed doors. Ahmed said the outcome of this meeting will form an input into the work that we are doing, which will subsequently be confirmed by the National Assembly. --- This episode is sponsored by · Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support

The Federal Government on Wednesday adjusted the 2020 budget downward from the original N10.59tn to N10.52tn. The budget deficit is in excess of N5.3tn. The approval was made in Abuja by the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President, General Muhammadu Buhari at the State House. The new figures were captured in the revised 2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework submitted to the council by the Minister of Finance, Budget, National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed. Parameters adjusted in the budget include the crude oil benchmark now further cut to $25 from $30. The FEC however took another $5 out of the benchmark on Wednesday in the latest cut to settle at $25. Ahmed, who spoke with State House correspondents after the meeting, said daily crude oil production was now 1.94 million barrels per day, while the naira-dollar exchange rate was put at N360/$1. --- This episode is sponsored by · Afrolit Podcast: Hosted by Ekua PM, Afrolit shares the stories of multi-faceted Africans one episode at a time. https://open.spotify.com/show/2nJxiiYRyfMQlDEXXpzlZS?si=mmgODX3NQ-yfQvR0JRH-WA Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support

The Federal Government has disbursed N43.41bn ($120.6m) to 24 states under the performance-based grant component of the World Bank-Assisted States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme-for-Results. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said this in a statement issued on Wednesday. The SFTAS is a $750m programme to reward states for meeting any or all of the nine indicators that demonstrate improvements in fiscal transparency, accountability and sustainability. The SFTAS programme is part of efforts of the Federal Government to further enhance the transparency and accountability in the use of public resources through the implementation of the Open Government Partnership which Nigeria signed to in July 2016. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are indications that the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund may approve the $3.4bn loan sought by Nigeria on Tuesday. Reuters and Bloomberg reported that the IMF would meet over the request today. Although the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, had announced on April 6, that Nigeria had applied for the loan and the funds was expected within six to 12 weeks The loan, if approved, would be among the largest allocations by the IMF to an African country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that the IMF Executive Board would approve the loan having already approved similar requests for several countries. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority says the plan by the Federal Government to withdraw 150 million dollars from the Sovereign Wealth Fund would reduce the amount in the account to 201 million dollars. The statement by the Authority comes after the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, on Monday, hinted that the Federal Government would withdraw the amount to cushion the negative impact of oil price decline on the federation account. She had said the withdrawal was due to the persistent decline in allocations to the three tiers of government. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The finance minister, Zainab Ahmed said Nigeria has requested a total of $6.9 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) to combat the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Zainab Ahmed said at a news conference in the capital, Abuja, that Nigeria requested $3.4 billion from the IMF, $2.5 billion from the World Bank and $1 billion from the AfDB. Ahmed said Nigeria was one of several African countries seeking the suspension of debt-servicing obligations for 2020 and 2021 from multilateral lenders. She said the IMF support would not be tied to a formal programme and would not come with conditions attached since it was money Nigeria had already contributed to the Fund. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The finance minister, Zainab Ahmed said Nigeria has requested a total of $6.9 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) to combat the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic,Zainab Ahmed said at a news conference in the capital, Abuja, that Nigeria requested $3.4 billion from the IMF, $2.5 billion from the World Bank and $1 billion from the AfDB.Ahmed said Nigeria was one of several African countries seeking the suspension of debt-servicing obligations for 2020 and 2021 from multilateral lenders. She said the IMF support would not be tied to a formal programme and would not come with conditions attached since it was money Nigeria had already contributed to the Fund.--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support

The Federal Government has assured that Nigeria's financial sector will continue to offer skeletal services during the lockdown. The assurance was coneyed in a joint statement by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.The statement said exemptions have been obtained from President Muhamamdu Buhari to allow very skeletal operations in the financial system and money markets.It adds that all relevant staff of affected outfits and agencies should look out for further instructions from their immediate bosses.--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/africabusinessnews/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/africabusinessnews/support

The Federal Government has assured that Nigeria's financial sector will continue to offer skeletal services during the lockdown. The assurance was coneyed in a joint statement by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele. The statement said exemptions have been obtained from President Muhamamdu Buhari to allow very skeletal operations in the financial system and money markets. It adds that all relevant staff of affected outfits and agencies should look out for further instructions from their immediate bosses. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Government has announced plans to ban inter-state travel and possibly close down all motor parks. The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Thursday as part of measures to curtail the spread of COVID-19.Meanwhile, the Nigerian Government is releasing additional 6.5 billion naira as emergency intervention to the National Centre for Disease Control. This is according to a statement by the personal assistant to the president on new media, Bashir Ahmad. The statement adds that the move, which was confirmed by the Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, is to aid in the fight to curb the spread of the #COVID19 in the country. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­The Federal Government is set to cut the country’s 2020 budget, Amid tumbling prices of crude oil The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), will get a report on Tuesday (today) on what his regime can do to salvage the N10.59tn budget. The budget review committee, which was set up by Buhari on Monday, is chaired by the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed. Its primary duty is to review the $57 oil benchmark for the budget and ultimately recommend an appropriate size, down from the current N10.59tn. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The minister of finance, budget and National planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed on Wednesday disclosed that the federal government will carry out a mid-term review of the 2020 budget. The minister gave this indication while addressing state house correspondent on the outcome of the week's federal Executive council (FEC) meeting was responding to questions over the effect of the outbreak of the COVID-19 in Nigeria and how it had affected economies across the globe.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

KarāmaSūtra brings you the love story of Amna Khaishgi and Ehtesham Shahid, unconventional by most standards. Amna is from Pakistan and Ehtesham is from India. Both of them are journalists and were introduced to each other through work over the internet in the late 1990s. From courting to dating and wedding, their relationship has weathered many a question, challenged existing stereotypes, and even inspired a successful play. **Credits** Special thanks to Amna Khaishgi & Ehtesham Shahid, and Zainab Ahmed. Hosted & Produced by Vinita Bharadwaj & Chirag Desai. With support from Abhishek Venkatasubramanian, Sukayna Kazmi & Zainab Ujjaini.

The Federal Government yesterday said that the 2019 Budget achieved 50% performance with the release of N1.2 trillion for capital expenditure.According to Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, stated this after the eight-hour Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at Aso VillaShe said that the revenue performance of the budget stood at 81% as in the third quarter of the year, having realized N4.25 trillion.Adding that with the passage of the 2020 Budget, is due to go into effect by January 1, and that the 2019 budget had become a six months budget.However, since the President has assented to the 2020 budget, which is a major achievement for this government, it is clear that the 2019 budget is also a six-month budget.So we have achieved a 50% capital release for 50% performance of the 2019 budget. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to include the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed as well as some other ministers in the Economic Advisory Council (EAC). This was said by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu during an interview. According to Chukwu, it would be more appropriate if the relevant ministries/agencies were made members of the Council for ease of policy implementation. He stated that some of the decisions of the Council would be expected to cut across monetary policy, and as such, the CBN governor is not expected to be handed over the document by the executive arm for implementation. Chukwu said it was important for Emefiele to come in either as an advisor or as an observer. Chukwu made it known that there has to be a higher level of interface between the Council and the executive arm of government. He also said that the finance ministers and other economic ministers should join the EAC so that it wouldn’t be just advisory but executable government policies.--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Minister of Finance , Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed , reportedly disclosed Nigeria needs an estimated sum of $100 billion or N36 trillion annually to address the infrastructural decay in the country. According to the minister, the Federal Government will require about $100 billion annually for the next 30 years to effectively tackle Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges. Mrs Zainab further stated that with the shortfall in oil revenue, which has plummeted in recent times, it is difficult to address infrastructural deficit.Speaking further, she said the time had come for the government to start looking for alternative sources of funding infrastructure as budgetary funding alone could not address the funding gap. Meanwhile, while the World Bank acknowledged that Nigeria faces a $100 billion annual investment gap in infrastructure, the bank has pledged to assist Nigeria close the infrastructure gap. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Economic analysts have expressed reservations over the federal government's projected budget of N9.7 trillion for 2020, saying the figure ought to be more in the region of 12 Trillion. The federal government had unveiled the draft 2020-2022 Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) with a projected total budget of N9,789,243.466 for next year. It also expressed concern that the country faces significant medium term fiscal challenges, especially with respect to revenue generation and rapid growth in personnel costs. The total budget (excluding that of government-owned enterprises, GOEs) is N8.907,940,657.001. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, who unveiled the 2020-2022 Medium Term MTEF/FSP, which guides government's fiscal plan, in Abuja, disclosed that the 2020 budget is predicated on certain key assumptions, including oil production of 2.18 million barrels per day (mbpd), a benchmark oil price of $55 per barrel, an exchange rate of N305 per dollar, and a projected revenue of N7.6 trillion. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Government (FG) is concluding the proposed 2020 budget appropriation bill which will be submitted to the National Assembly by the end of September 2019. The disclosure was reportedly made by the Finance Minister , Mrs Zainab Ahmed, in her opening remarks at a high-level roundtable meeting on National Donor Coordination in Abuja on Wednesday which resulted in the decision to create a Donor Coordinating Unit. In a statement signed by Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the Finance Minister, Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi , the 2020 budget would be concluded and submitted this month, as the ministry is currently capturing the planned and ongoing programmes of donor agencies in the country. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/newscast-africa/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices