In a significant cabinet reshuffle, President Bola Tinubu announced changes to his administration, including the discharge of five ministers and the appointment of seven new ones, along with the reassignment of ten cabinet members. This announcement came just three weeks after he hinted at a potential reshuffle and 17 months into his presidency.
The five ministers who were discharged include Uju-Ken Ohanenye, Lola Ade-John, Prof. Tahir Mamman, Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo, and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, clarified that these ministers were “not sacked,” but rather “discharged,” emphasizing that their departure does not imply any wrongdoing.
Among the newly appointed ministers awaiting Senate confirmation are Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi for Labour and Employment, Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu for State, Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole for Industry, Trade and Investment. Other new appointments include Idi Mukhtar Maiha for Livestock Development, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata for State, Housing and Urban Development, and Suwaiba Said Ahmad for State, Education.
The ten ministers who were reassigned include Hon. Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, who now serves as the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa as Minister of Education, and Bello Muhammad Goronyo as Minister of State for Works.
In an effort to streamline governance, the Ministry of Niger Delta Development has been renamed the Ministry of Regional Development. This new ministry will oversee the Niger Delta Development Commission, as well as other regional development commissions across the country, including those for the Southeast, Northeast, and Northwest.
Additionally, the Ministry of Sports Development has been dissolved, with its responsibilities transferred to the National Sports Commission. The Federal Ministry of Tourism has merged with the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture to create the new Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.
Addressing reporters, Information Minister Mohammed Idris noted that the new ministry will manage all sports activities and oversee the regional commissions previously supervised by the Niger Delta Ministry. Abubakar Momoh, the newly appointed minister in charge of Regional Development, assured stakeholders in the Niger Delta that all existing structures and agencies, including the NDDC, remain intact despite the name change.
As part of this transition, the government has set an ultimatum for the affected ministers to complete their handover processes by October 30, 2024. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, confirmed that outgoing ministers must hand over responsibilities to the substantive permanent secretaries in cases where no new ministers are appointed.
In a related development, newly nominated Minister Abdullahi Yusuf Ata from Kano State pledged to maintain integrity and diligence in fulfilling his duties. Speaking to supporters, he expressed commitment to the success of President Tinubu’s administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As these changes unfold, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of dedication and efficiency in meeting the administration’s goals, encouraging all appointees to fully invest their abilities in realizing the government’s priorities.
