President Bola Tinubu has made significant changes to his cabinet, dismissing six ministers and forwarding seven new ministerial nominees to the National Assembly. This reshuffle aims to enhance the government’s efficiency and effectiveness in delivering on its commitments to the Nigerian people.
Among those sacked are Prof. Tahir Mamman (Education), Uju Kennedy Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Mohammad Gwarzo (State for Housing), Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), and the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu. The status of Edu remains unclear despite her replacement.
In a move to fill these vacancies, Tinubu appointed the following new ministers:
- Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu – Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
- Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda – Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
- Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi – Minister of Labour and Employment
- Dr. Jumoke Oduwole – Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment
- Idi Mukhtar Maiha – Minister of Livestock Development
- Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata – Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development
- Suwaiba Said Ahmad – Minister of State for Education
Additionally, Shehu Dikko has been appointed as Chairman of the National Sports Commission, taking over the responsibilities of the now-defunct Ministry of Sports Development.
In a broader restructuring effort, Tinubu has also announced the renaming of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development to the Ministry of Regional Development, which will oversee all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and others.
Ten ministers have been reassigned new portfolios, including:
- Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu: Former Minister of State for Education, now Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
- Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa: Former Minister of State for Health, now substantive Minister of Education.
- Bello Muhammad Goronyo: Former Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, now Minister of State for Works.
- Other reassigned ministers include Abubakar Momoh, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, and Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite.
During a briefing, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that these actions are part of Tinubu’s commitment to reinvigorating the administration’s capacity for optimal efficiency.
In his remarks, Tinubu expressed gratitude to outgoing ministers for their service and urged newly appointed ministers to view their roles as a call to serve the nation. He emphasized the importance of aligning with the administration’s goal of fostering growth and progress in Nigeria.
Engr. Abubakar Momoh, now heading the Ministry of Regional Development, clarified that the NDDC remains active under this new structure and reassured the Niger Delta community that their interests will continue to be prioritized.