By joshua ASIWAJU ASIRU IDRIS, FCA, LEADS NACOFED VERIFICATION TEAM TO OWERRI AS IMO STATE CONFIRMS READINESS TO HOST 2026 NATIONAL COUNCIL ON FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Chairman of the Organising Committee for the 2026 National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED), Asiwaju Asiru Idris, FCA, on Friday led a high-level verification team to Owerri, Imo State, to assess the state’s preparedness ahead of the forthcoming Council Meeting scheduled for August 2026.
The team was received by the Imo State Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Mr. Chuck Chuckuemeka, who conducted members around the proposed venues and other strategic facilities designated for the four-day national event.
Speaking during the inspection, Mr. Chuckuemeka disclosed that the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, has approved the hosting of the Council Meeting and provided the necessary logistics to ensure its successful delivery. He noted that the programme will feature arrivals and an opening ceremony, technical council deliberations, and will culminate in the monthly Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting.
He further stated that the Council Meeting will attract key stakeholders in Nigeria’s public finance management ecosystem, including the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Commissioners of Finance and Accountants-General from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Chairmen of State Internal Revenue Services, and heads of major revenue-generating agencies.
Addressing the gathering after the inspection, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, FCA, who is also the Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for approving Imo State’s hosting of the 2026 NACOFED meeting. He also praised the Imo State Local organizing Committee, led by Commissioner Chuck Chuckuemeka and his team, for their commendable level of preparedness and commitment to delivering a successful national event.
Asiwaju Asiru expressed confidence that Imo State possesses the capacity and infrastructure required to host delegates from across the federation and assured that the verification team’s positive assessment would be communicated to the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
Other members of the verification team included the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Prof. Leonard C. Uguru; a Director in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abdullahi Umar; and other officials of the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The inspection concluded with an appraisal meeting attended by senior officials of the Imo State Government, including the Commissioner for Digital Economy, Dr. Chimezie Amadi; Commissioner for Tourism, Barr. Ernest Ibejiakor; Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Irene Chima; Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr. Ken Ikpe; Accountant-General of Imo State, Dr. Linus Okafor; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Event Management, Mr. Bright Nwelue.
At the end of the exercise, the verification team expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness and affirmed that Imo State is fully ready to host the 2026 National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED).