The Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, on Thursday, led a high-powered delegation on a courtesy visit to the 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.
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 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 of the 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.
