By Precious Momoh
Finally, President Bola Tinubu carried out a major reshuffle of his cabinet, dropping five ministers and and reassigning 10 others, amid months of calls from the public and political circles for the President to change his team due growing concerns about Nigeria’s sliding economic challenges, inflation, and insecurity.
Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle has been seen as a move to address the increasing impatience of Nigerians for some ministers’ performances since his administration came into being.
Insight on Tinubu’s Cabinet Reshuffle
Tinubu, who first appointed 48 ministers in August 2023 after his inauguration, made these changes during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday. Among the five ministers removed were Uju-Ken Ohanenye, who served as Minister of Women Affairs, and Lola Ade-John, who held the position of Minister of Tourism. Additionally, Tinubu replaced Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, Abdullahi Gwarzo, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, and Jamila Ibrahim, the Minister of Youth Development.
These sackings reflect the President’s responsiveness to public opinion, as Nigerians have increasingly voiced concerns about the ministers’ performance in addressing critical issues, particularly in a time of unprecedented inflation and insecurity. A presidential source previously hinted at an impending cabinet reshuffle, and the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed in September that the move was under consideration.
Alongside the dismissals, Tinubu reassigned 10 ministers to new portfolios and put forward seven fresh nominations for Senate approval. Notably, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu was nominated as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, a position that comes amid increased international relations demands. Nentawe Yilwatda was nominated as the new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, filling the gap left by the suspended Betta Edu.
In addition to these appointments, Maigari Dingyadi, the new Minister of Labour and Employment, and Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, highlight Tinubu’s commitment to addressing labor and trade issues. Furthermore, the creation of a Livestock Development Ministry, with Idi Maiha as its first head, is a significant structural change as the President aim at addressing the growing agricultural sector’s needs.
Scrapping and Merging of Ministries
President Tinubu also made the decision to scrap two ministries. The Ministry of Niger Delta Development was dissolved, replaced by the new Ministry of Regional Development, which will oversee all regional development commissions. This move consolidates oversight of the Niger Delta Development Commission, South-East Development Commission, North-East Development Commission, and North-West Development Commission under one ministry.
Additionally, the Ministry of Sports Development was also dissolved, with its functions transferred to the National Sports Commission. This step aims to create “a vibrant sports economy,” according to the President’s office. Furthermore, the Federal Ministry of Tourism and the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture have been merged to form the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.
Political Impact and Reactions
The reshuffle included the appointment of key political figures, such as Sunday Dare, a former Minister of Sports under the Buhari administration. Dare has been appointed as Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation, working closely with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation. This reshuffling aims to align the President’s team with the administration’s goals of pushing Nigeria towards “irreversible growth.”
The President commended the outgoing members of the Federal Executive Council for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in their future endeavors. He then charged the newly appointed ministers and their reassigned colleagues to see their appointment as a call to serve the nation.
in his closing remark, He (the President) said all appointees must appreciate the eagerness and determination of the administration to get Nigeria on the path of irreversible growth and invest their very best into making it real for the priorities of this government.
