Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has implemented a sweeping reorganization of his cabinet, dismissing five ministers and nominating seven new ones while redistributing portfolios among existing ministers. The dramatic shake-up, announced during Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, comes amid mounting pressure for improved performance in tackling Nigeria’s economic challenges.
The cabinet restructuring, which has been anticipated since September following hints from presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, represents the most substantial governmental reorganization since Tinubu’s administration took office in May 2023. The move appears to be a direct response to widespread public criticism of ministerial performance, particularly in light of the country’s unprecedented inflation rates and deteriorating security situation.
Among the most notable changes is the immediate termination of five ministerial appointments, including Uju-Ken Ohanenye from Women Affairs, Lola Ade-John from Tourism, Tahir Mamman from Education, Abdullahi Gwarzo from State Housing and Urban Development, and Jamila Ibrahim from Youth Development. The dismissals mark a clear statement from the presidency about its commitment to achieving results and maintaining high performance standards within the cabinet.
In a strategic move that has caught political observers’ attention, President Tinubu has nominated several high-profile individuals to fill the vacant positions. Perhaps most notably, Bianca Odumegu-Ojukwu, a prominent political figure, has been nominated as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The nomination of Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction officially concludes the tenure of Betta Edu, who was suspended in January amid controversy.
The restructuring goes beyond mere personnel changes, encompassing significant structural reforms in government ministries. In a bold administrative move, the President has abolished the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, replacing it with a more comprehensive Ministry of Regional Development. This new ministry will oversee various regional development commissions, including those for the Niger Delta, South East, North East, and North West regions, suggesting a more integrated approach to regional development across the country.
Further streamlining governmental operations, Tinubu has eliminated the Ministry of Sports Development, transferring its functions to the National Sports Commission with the stated aim of developing a “vibrant sports economy.” In another efficiency-driven decision, the Federal Ministry of Tourism has been merged with the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture to create the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.
The administration has also made strategic appointments outside the ministerial realm, notably bringing back Sunday Akin Dare, who served as Sports Minister during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, in a new role as Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation. Shehu Dikko has been appointed to chair the National Sports Commission, signaling the administration’s commitment to revitalizing the sports sector.
Other key nominations include Maigari Dingyadi for the Labour and Employment portfolio, Jumoke Oduwole for Industry, and Idi Maiha to head the newly created Livestock Development Ministry. Yusuf Ata and Suwaiba Ahmad have been nominated as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development and Minister of State for Education, respectively.
The timing of this cabinet overhaul is particularly significant, coming at a crucial juncture when Nigeria faces multiple economic challenges. The country has been grappling with soaring inflation rates, currency depreciation, and widespread economic hardship that has tested public patience with government policies. The restructuring appears to be part of a broader strategy to inject new energy and expertise into key government positions while streamlining operations for greater efficiency.
In his address to the Federal Executive Council, President Tinubu emphasized that these appointments represent more than just administrative changes, describing them as a “call to serve the nation.” He stressed the administration’s determination to set Nigeria on an “irreversible path to growth” and called on both new and reassigned ministers to fully commit their abilities to achieving the government’s priorities.
The cabinet reshuffle represents the most significant governmental reorganization since Tinubu appointed his initial 48 ministers in August 2023. It reflects a pragmatic response to public demands for better governance and more effective policy implementation, particularly in addressing the nation’s economic challenges. As the new appointees await Senate confirmation, all eyes will be on how these changes translate into tangible improvements in government performance and service delivery to the Nigerian people.
These sweeping changes signal President Tinubu’s willingness to make bold decisions in pursuit of his administration’s objectives, even if it means disrupting existing power structures. The success of this cabinet overhaul will likely be measured by its impact on Nigeria’s economic recovery and the government’s ability to address the pressing challenges facing Africa’s largest economy.
