Our reporter
In a bid to rejuvenate his administration and respond to Nigeria’s pressing economic challenges, President Bola Tinubu on Monday swore in seven newly-appointed ministers at the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The new appointees include Nentawe Yilwatda as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as the Minister of Labour and Employment, and Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
Other additions are Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment (Trade and Investment), Idi Mukhtar Maiha as Minister of Livestock Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, and Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.
Addressing the newly sworn-in ministers, President Tinubu urged them to embrace their responsibilities, underscoring his commitment to steering Nigeria towards stability and growth. “Nigeria’s head is above the waters. This ship will not sink. We will not run away from our responsibilities,” he said.
“I am proud to lead you, and we will lead you to success and prosperity… We have taken the bull by the horns.”
The swearing-in of the new ministers followed their recent appointments and Senate confirmations. This reshuffle comes as Nigeria grapples with economic challenges that have significantly impacted living standards across the country, leading to widespread calls for a more effective cabinet.
In response, President Tinubu dismissed five ministers in October and nominated replacements, initiating one of the most extensive cabinet reorganizations in his administration.
The recent dismissals included Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Tahir Mamman (Education), Abdullahi Gwarzo (State, Housing and Urban Development), and Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development). Additionally, Tinubu reassigned ten other ministers to new portfolios, emphasizing a performance-driven approach to governance.
A notable element of this reshuffle was Tinubu’s decision to dissolve two ministries. The Niger Delta Development and Sports Development ministries were scrapped, with their roles reassigned to existing structures.
The newly established Ministry of Regional Development will now manage the mandates of development commissions such as the Niger Delta Development Commission, the South East Development Commission, and the North East Development Commission, among others.
In the realm of sports, Tinubu shifted responsibilities to the National Sports Commission (NSC), which is now tasked with fostering a “vibrant sports economy” as part of Nigeria’s broader economic vision.
Tinubu also merged the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Arts and Culture, creating the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, a move aimed at consolidating efforts to promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and tourism potential.
President Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle, including these structural changes, signals a renewed commitment to efficiency and responsiveness within his administration. With a 48-member cabinet appointed in August 2023, Tinubu’s government is now better positioned to tackle the challenges facing Nigeria and pursue policies that address the country’s economic and social needs.
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