President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Mr. Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s new Minister of State for Finance at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination last Wednesday.

Oyedele, 50, from Ikaram, Akoko in Ondo State, brings over two decades of experience in fiscal policy and tax administration.

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He previously chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system, introducing zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 or less and exemptions for small businesses with turnovers below N50 million.

During his Senate screening, Oyedele described his appointment as “a call to serve at a critical time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and remarkable opportunities.”

He replaces Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

Oyedele also spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, held executive programs at top global institutions including the London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School, and currently serves as a professor at Babcock University.

The minister’s appointment signals a continued focus on implementing the Tax Reform Acts, which took effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to simplify Nigeria’s tax system while boosting economic growth.

Passengers were thrown into panic on Monday after a train operating along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor derailed, leaving several passengers injured and disrupting services on the busy route.

The train, which was travelling from Kaduna to Abuja, reportedly failed to reach its destination as scheduled after the incident occurred along the rail line linking both cities.

According to passengers on board, the incident happened suddenly, sending shock through the coaches as the train came to an abrupt halt.

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Some passengers said they heard a loud bang before the train jolted violently, throwing several occupants off their seats.

Eyewitnesses said the sudden impact caused confusion inside the train compartments, with some passengers sustaining cuts and bruises after hitting seats and metal fittings.

Initial reports suggested that the Abuja-bound train might have collided with another train along the corridor, forcing rail operations to pause temporarily while authorities assessed the situation.

A source within the Nigerian Railway Corporation confirmed the incident but declined to give full details, noting that he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.

One of the passengers, Sada Malumfashi, shared his experience on social media shortly after leaving the train.

He described the moment as frightening, stating that the loud sound and sudden stop caused many passengers to be flung from their seats.

He said the train remained stationary for about 30 minutes before the journey resumed slowly toward Kubwa, located on the outskirts of Abuja.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu, confirmed the development and said an official statement would be issued.

Authorities are yet to disclose the exact cause of the derailment or the full extent of injuries as investigations continue.

No fewer than 40 journalists from print, broadcast, and digital media in Lagos participated in this year’s NLNG Change Your Story training workshop held in Lagos between March 11 and 13.

The workshop, themed “Re-calibrate, Create, Connect,” focused on artificial intelligence in journalism, data visualisation, digital tools for real-time reporting, and ways to combat misinformation.

During the 3-day capacity workshop, participants examined the changing landscape of journalism shaped by AI and digital communication. They also explored how new media technologies can support real-time reporting, extend audience reach across borders, and strengthen engagement on digital platforms.

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Dr. Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at Nigeria LNG Limited, charged the participants to apply the knowledge gained from the NLNG Change Your Story Capacity Workshop to improve the quality and credibility of their reporting. Horsfall, who spoke on the last day of it, described the workshop as part of NLNG’s broader effort to strengthen engagement with the media and support professional excellence in journalism. She encouraged participants to use the insights gained to improve the depth and credibility of their work.

“NLNG views this engagement as a strategic partnership. We provide the energy that powers nations and generates revenue for our nation; you provide the information that powers our minds. We have been proud to host you, but our pride will only be justified when we see the ‘New Standard’ in your next feature, your next broadcast, and your next investigative report. As you head back to your various stations, I urge you to take the spirit of this workshop with you,” she said.

The intensive programme combined expert-led discussions with practical sessions. Digital Communication specialist Mr. Dan Mason led sessions on digital storytelling, while media trainer Taiwo Obe facilitated a Journalism Clinic focused on newsroom practice and storytelling skills.

Mason described the NLNG programme as a relevant ingredient to grow the foundation for new digital skills among practitioners, noting that the Nigerian media industry is a vibrant sector with many energetic young people. “For me, it’s a really good place to work. I feel strongly that at each training session, people listened. ..It’s really about people going away with a little bit more confidence to say, I’m going to do this. I can do this. And in a way, that’s all you need.

“But, what you have here is the essential ingredient in developing journalism, which is the ability to make mistakes and then learn from them,” he said. He observed that Nigeria has an incredibly high rate of young people with an interest in news. According to him, research around the world shows that Nigeria stands out at the top, having young people who are interested in news.

“They care. In your use of mobile platforms, you are way ahead. People trust journalism and journalists. And while there may be issues with people or younger generations not wanting to look at the news, you’ve got such a great and strong foundation to build upon. So, I see hope and opportunity in Nigeria, though I also see the problems, because I’m a journalist. And I see fantastic opportunities here,” he added.

The Change Your Story initiative, launched by NLNG in partnership with The Journalism Clinic, is designed to strengthen professional capacity in the media industry. Since its launch in 2014, the programme has trained about 400 journalists from print, broadcast, and digital media across Nigeria.

The workshop, which began on Wednesday, concluded on Friday. At the end of the training, all participants were presented with certificates acknowledging their completion of the programme.

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has reinforced its commitment to strengthening journalism in Nigeria following the successful completion of the second edition of its #NLNGChangeYourStory workshop for 2026, held in Lagos.