Dr. Ben Akabueze

Ben Akabueze is a Nigerian chartered accountant and former Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation. He has held key positions in the banking and public sectors, serving as CEO of NAL Bank Plc (now Sterling Bank Plc) and later as an Executive Director after its merger in 2005. From 2007 to 2015, he was Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget. In 2016, he was appointed Special Adviser to the President on National Planning and subsequently became Director General of the Budget Office, a role he was reappointed to in 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari. Akabueze holds a B.Sc in Accounting from the University of Lagos, a postgraduate certificate in Management from Lagos Business School, and a certificate in economic development from Harvard Kennedy School. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the Institute of Credit Administration (FCA), and the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIBN). Beyond his professional career, Akabueze is actively involved in religious leadership. He serves as the Pastor-in-Charge of Lagos Province 39 and is the head pastor of The King’s Court Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). He is married to Ngozi Akabueze, who leads the Foundations of Sapphires, a non-profit organization, and is also the CEO of Havilah Technologies Ltd. With decades of experience in banking, economic planning, and financial management, Akabueze has played a vital role in Nigeria’s budgetary and economic policies. His expertise in financial planning and governance has made significant contributions to the development of Lagos State and the federal government. His leadership in both financial and religious sectors highlights his influence in Nigeria’s economic and social development.