Business
RMAFC Chairman Holds Strategic Talks with Interior Ministry to Boost Investment Opportunity
Joel Ajayi
The Honourable Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu OFR, on Thursday, led a highpowered delegation from the Commission on a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja, where both organisations held strategic discussions on revenue mobilisation, investment facilitation, migration governance and national development.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Head, Information and PR UnitRMAFC Maryam Umar Yusuf, mnipr.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Shehu said the visit was aimed at seeking the collaboration of the Ministry to attract more foreign investment.
He hinted that the Commission was planning a strategic oil and gas summit coming up soon so as to attract investment into the upstream and downstream sectors in the oil and gas industry.
The Chairman explained that RMAFC is one of the fourteen constitutional Commissions responsible for monitoring revenue accruals into the Federation Account, ensuring proper disbursement in line with extant laws, reviewing revenue allocation formulas and determining remuneration for political, executive and judicial office holders.
He added that RMAFC also has the mandate to request information from any organisation concerning revenue accruals and remittance.
According to him, “Every legitimate revenue due to the Federation must be properly accounted for and distributed in accordance with the law.”
Dr. Shehu also acknowledged the support extended to the Commission by agencies under the Ministry during the inter-agency verification exercises and other official assignments, describing such cooperation as critical to effective governance and accountability.
He appreciated the Honourable Minister and the Ministry for the reforms being recorded across agencies under the Ministry. “We are very happy to be here to appreciate the Honourable Minister and the Ministry of Interior for the visible strides being recorded. The transformation in the immigration system, civil defence and other agencies is evident, and the nation appreciates these efforts,” he said.
Responding, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, welcomed the delegation and praised the Commission for initiating the engagement. He said collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies remains indispensable to national progress.
“Collaboration is the soul of governance. No institution can succeed in isolation, and our doors remain open to every agency committed to national development,” the Minister said.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo explained that one of the major policy thrusts of the Ministry has been the use of migration management and immigration documentation as tools for economic growth, ease of doing business and investor confidence.
“Our agenda has been to use migration management as an enabler of business. We have digitised major processes, simplified visa systems, improved transparency and reduced bottlenecks so that investors can access Nigeria more easily,” he stated.
The Minister further clarified that citizenship matters are governed strictly by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while investor-friendly residency pathways and long-term lawful stay arrangements can be explored within existing legal provisions to support economic objectives.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Investment Monitoring Committee of the Commission and federal commissioner representing Anambra State in the Commission, Hon. Enefe Ekene said the Committee’s mandate includes oversight on government investments and initiatives aimed at attracting foreign direct investment into Nigeria.
Speaking further on the purpose of the visit, he said the reason for seeking strategic collaboration with the Ministry was based on the fact that investment depends on a stable, transparent and investor-friendly environment.
He added that the Ministry of Interior remained a critical stakeholder in creating efficient migration, residency, and business entry systems that could boost investor confidence and national revenue.
Other members of the delegation from RMAFC were Hon. Kolade Daniel Abimbola, Federal Commissioner representing Oyo State and Chairman Inland Revenue Monitoring Committee, Hon. Hauwa Umar Aliyu, Federal Commissioner representing Jigawa State in the Commission and a member of the Investment Committee, and some management staff of the Commission.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani and some management staff of the Ministry also witnessed the meeting.
The meeting ended with a shared commitment by both institutions to deepen cooperation, sustain strategic engagement, and pursue innovative policies capable of enhancing revenue generation, attracting investment, and advancing national development priorities.
Agriculture
PULA, Leadway Assurance Disburse ₦396 Million to Climate-Affected Farmers, Strengthen Food Security Efforts
In a major intervention to shield smallholder farmers from climate shocks, agri-insurtech firm PULA has spearheaded the disbursement of ₦396,697,672 in insurance claims to over 40,000 farmers impacted during the 2025 wet season.
The payout, executed in partnership with Leadway Assurance and supported by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), covered farmers across Taraba, Borno, Kaduna, and Plateau States who suffered climate-related losses.
The initiative was made possible in part by Bayer Foundation, whose $450,000 premium subsidy support in 2025 wet season helped lower the cost of insurance for thousands of vulnerable smallholders in 8 states, with 4 states receiving payouts. The Foundation is set to scale up its contribution to match the growing aspirations of state governments.
Speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony in Abuja during the 2025 Wet Season Insurance Claims Payout under the National Agribusiness Planning Mechanism (NAPM), PULA’s Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Michael Enahoro, said the initiative goes beyond compensation, insisting that it’s about securing Nigeria’s food systems.
“Our focus is not just on payouts but on increasing food production. We must continue to support farmers who work tirelessly under harsh conditions to feed the nation,” Dr. Enahoro said. He called for stronger policies that directly impact farmers and reaffirmed PULA’s commitment to expanding agricultural insurance as a tool for resilience.
PULA’s data-driven approach to climate risk was key to identifying affected farmers and triggering payments. The company worked with Leadway Assurance to underwrite the risk, while PFSCU aligned the program with the national food security agenda. State governments also supported grassroots enrollment.
Gboyega Lesi, MD/CEO of Leadway Assurance, described the payout as “a reinforcement of a safety net that protects the hard work of thousands of farmers,” adding that “through climate insurance, we ensure that a bad season does not translate into total loss of livelihood.” He commended PULA’s technology and field structure for making rapid, transparent payouts possible.
Ayoola Fatona, Global Head of Agric Solutions at Leadway Assurance, noted that the 2025 wet season brought significant climate variability and yield fluctuations. “The true value of insurance lies in claims payment, especially in challenging periods. Our data-driven partnership with PULA helped mitigate losses,” he said.
Looking ahead, PULA and Leadway Assurance plan to scale coverage to 73,000 farmers in the 2026 farming season, deepening penetration of climate insurance across Nigeria’s food-producing belts.
Commissioners from the beneficiary states commended PULA and Leadway Assurance for de-risking agriculture, restoring farmers’ confidence, and building a more resilient agricultural sector
State-by-state breakdown of claims facilitated by PULA:
- Taraba State: ₦154,308,035
- Borno State: ₦127,192,472
- Kaduna State: ₦69,726,150
- Plateau State: ₦45,471,015
Total: ₦396.7 million.
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