Former Communications Minister Adebayo Shittu has defended the size of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, asserting that it is appropriate for a country with a population exceeding 200 million. Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Shittu emphasized that a sufficiently staffed government is essential for effectively serving the diverse needs of Nigerian citizens.
Shittu, who served in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, pointed to the increasing complexity of governance as a key reason for the expanded cabinet. “Governance is expanding, and new ministries are being created. We need people to manage these new areas effectively,” he explained. He further emphasized that prioritizing government efficiency should take precedence over mere cost-cutting measures, stating, “There’s no point in saving a kobo only to lose so much naira.”
In Shittu’s perspective, a cabinet of approximately 50 ministers is reasonable given Nigeria’s size and complexity. He highlighted the challenges faced by large ministries, such as agriculture and education, which oversee numerous agencies—sometimes more than 50. “If a single minister is responsible for supervising all of these agencies, the oversight can become too unwieldy,” he noted. Shittu suggested that splitting responsibilities across separate ministries, such as primary and higher education, could enhance management and oversight.
Drawing comparisons with governance structures in other nations, Shittu argued that Nigeria’s cabinet size must align with its vast responsibilities. “For a huge country like Nigeria, with the enormous tasks each ministry faces, having 50 ministers is not excessive,” he concluded.