Orire Agbaje, a 400-level Economics student at the University of Ibadan, has been appointed as a member of the presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms.
Agbaje is the president of The Tax Club, University of Ibadan, and the Nigerian Universities Tax Club president.
She is also one of the 2023 Nigeria Higher Education Foundation Scholars.
The presidency released photos of her in a handshake with the president after Tinubu inaugurated the committee.
Her appointment has triggered differing opinions among Nigerians, with some condemning the president while others say it is the right step in the right direction.
”President Tinubu appointed a 400-level student from the University of Ibadan as a member of the presidential committee on fiscal policy & tax reforms, while there are first-class graduates with master’s degrees in the field and vast experiences. This doesn’t make sense at all,” Kawu Garba, a political analyst, wrote on Twitter.
For David Offor, a content writer, Agbaje’s appointment is a plus for young people in Nigeria.
He wrote:
”The youths are taking over in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.”
Francis Nwaze, a spokesman to the immediate past governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi, agrees with Offor and wrote:
”I want to confirm that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is strategic and all-inclusive – ensuring that both the women and youths feature in critical aspects of his governance.
”He just appointed Miss Orire Agbaje, a 400-level Economics student of the University of Ibadan, president of the Nigerian Universities Tax Club, as a member of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms that was inaugurated today.
”This is highly commendable, just as his last address was confirmed to be truly presidential.”
Qalam Samantha Sameera also commended the president and wrote:
”Mr President had his hand on her shoulder like a very proud father. This is one of his visions of getting the right team, more young women breaking barriers and doing great things. So proud of Miss. Orire Agbaje, truly hard work and dedication pays!”
Murphy Emamezi, a growth strategist, says the move is a ploy for Tinubu to get legitimacy.
He wrote:
”I see it as an unnecessary show-off -fake! So the people may support and think he is the legitimate man for that position. Interesting!”
The committee, headed by respected tax consultant Taiwo Oyedele, has a one-year mandate, divided into three main areas: Fiscal governance, tax reforms and growth facilitation.