President Tinubu presides over the FEC meeting in Abuja as the council observes a minute of silence for former ministers Abubakar Alhaji and Turner Isoun.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday presided over a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House in Abuja, with the council paying tribute to two former ministers who recently died.
The meeting began with a minute of silence in honour of former Minister of Finance, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, and former Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Turner Isoun.
The tribute was observed shortly before the commencement of the council’s deliberations, with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, calling on members to honour the deceased former ministers. Reports indicate that Alhaji died on July 30 at the age of 89, while Isoun passed away on July 15, aged 87.
Alhaji served as Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1991 during the military administration of former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida.
Isoun served as Minister of Science and Technology between 2000 and 2007 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The FEC meeting commenced with the national anthem after President Tinubu arrived at the Council Chamber at about 2:30 p.m. to chair the session.
The meeting marked Tinubu’s first FEC session since June 29, 2026. The June meeting had followed a break of more than two months and included the swearing-in of two Federal Commissioners representing Bauchi and Kaduna states on the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
Those attending Wednesday’s meeting included SGF George Akume; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Didi Walson-Jack; National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Ministers, presidential aides and heads of government agencies were also present.
The council meeting was still ongoing as of the time of reporting, with members expected to consider a range of policy and administrative matters.
The development comes as the Tinubu administration continues to implement its economic and development agenda, with the FEC serving as the highest formal decision-making body of the Federal Government on major policy and administrative matters.
The tribute to the two former ministers added a solemn opening to Wednesday’s council proceedings, as members remembered their contributions to Nigeria’s public service.
The FEC meeting follows a recent pattern of renewed council deliberations after the June 29 session, which was the previous meeting before Wednesday’s sitting.
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