President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday reshuffled his cabinet, dismissing six ministers and appointing seven ministers-designate, amid expectations that the new appointees will drive the implementation of his Renewed Hope agenda. 
   
Additionally, the President reassigned the portfolios of 10 ministers to different ministries, where he believed their skills and expertise would yield better performance.
   
Since 2023, President Tinubu has committed to reviewing the performance of his ministers and removing those who do not meet the administration’s expectations. 
   
This recent development aligns with an earlier report by The Guardian indicating that the President would use the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting to announce cabinet changes.
   
The reshuffle did not surprise many Nigerians, particularly given growing concerns over the government’s perceived inability to implement economic policies that focus on human-centred solutions.
   
The removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira against foreign currencies have exacerbated economic challenges, significantly increasing the cost of living for the average Nigerian.
   
In what appears to be the first phase of implementing the Oronsaye Report, Tinubu also abolished the Ministry of Sports Development and the Niger Delta Ministry, a move that has drawn widespread criticism from various stakeholders.
   
Presidency sources suggest that the President’s recent two-week vacation abroad was an opportunity to reflect and decide which ministers to retain or dismiss. The decision also follows critical reports regarding the performance of certain cabinet members, most notably the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman.  
   
Mamman’s introduction of reforms, including a controversial policy barring candidates under 18 from taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), was met with significant public criticism.
   
As part of the reshuffle, Tinubu appointed Shehu Dikko as Chairman of the National Sports Commission, which will now take over the responsibilities previously handled by the defunct Ministry of Sports Development.
   
Two former ministers from the Muhammadu Buhari administration were appointed to key positions in the new cabinet. The former Minister of Police Affairs was named the substantive Minister of Labour and Employment, while Sunday Dare, former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, was appointed Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
   
The ministers dismissed from the cabinet are Prof Tahir Mamman (Education), Uju Kennedy Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Mohammad Gwarzo (State for Housing), Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), and Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, who had already been replaced, though the government remained silent on her status.
   
The President also submitted the names of seven new ministerial nominees and their designated portfolios to the National Assembly for confirmation. They are Mrs Bianca Ojukwu (State for Foreign Affairs), widow of the late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, who replaces the suspended Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment, and Dr Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.
   
Others are Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development; Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Minister of Housing and Urban Development; and Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Minister of State for Education.
   
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed these appointments during a press briefing following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which Tinubu chaired at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
   
Onanuga further announced the reassignment of 10 ministers to new portfolios.  Among the reassignments, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, previously Minister of State for Education, is now Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. Dr Morufu Olatunji Alausa, formerly Minister of State for Health, has been appointed as the substantive Minister of Education, while Bello Muhammad Goronyo, who served as Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, is now Minister of State for Works.
   
Additionally, Abubakar Momoh has transitioned from Minister of Niger Delta Development to Minister of Regional Development. Uba Maigari Ahmadu, formerly Minister of State for Steel Development, has also been reassigned as Minister of State for Regional Development, while Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, previously Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, has now taken on the role of Minister of State for Finance.
   
Senator John Owan Enoh, who previously held the Minister of Sports Development position, has been redeployed as Minister of State for Trade and Investment (Industry). Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, formerly Minister of State for Police Affairs, has been appointed Minister of Women Affairs. Ayodele Olawande, previously Minister of State for Youth Development, is now Minister for Youth Development, and Dr Salako Iziaq Adekunle Adeboye, formerly Minister of State for Environment, has been reassigned as Minister of State for Health.
   
Onanuga said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate implementation of eight far-reaching actions to reinvigorate the Administration’s capacity for optimal efficiency pursuant to his commitment to deliver on his promises to Nigerians.
   
“The eight actions approved by Mr President include: “The renaming of the Ministry of Nigeria Delta Development to the Ministry of Regional Development to oversee the activities of all the Regional Development Commissions. 
   
“The Regional Development Commissions to be under the supervision of the new Ministry are the Niger Delta Development Commission, the South East Development Commission, the North East Development and the North West Development Commission.
   
“The immediate winding up of the Ministry of Sports Development and the transfer of its functions to the National Sports Commission to develop a vibrant sports economy.
   
“The merger of the Federal Ministry of Tourism and the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture to become the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.
   
“The President thanked the outgoing members of the Federal Executive Council for their service to the nation while wishing them the best in their future endeavours.
   
“He charged the newly appointed ministers and their reassigned colleagues to see their appointment as a call to serve the nation. He added that all appointees must understand the administration’s eagerness and determination to set Nigeria on the path to irreversible growth and invest the best of their abilities into actualising the government’s priorities.”
   
A statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja yesterday directed that all handover processes must be completed by Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
   
In ministries without incoming ministers, outgoing ministers are to hand over responsibilities to the respective Permanent Secretaries. “Similarly, the renaming and expansion of the mandate of the defunct Ministry of Niger Delta Development is to take immediate effect,” the statement added.

MEANWHILE, the newly appointed Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, who previously oversaw the now-dissolved Ministry of Niger Delta Development, clarified that the NDDC remains in place. 
  
He explained that while the Ministry of Niger Delta Development had been renamed and given broader responsibilities under the Ministry of Regional Development, this change had no impact on the functions of the NDDC or other agencies under its jurisdiction.
   
“For the people of the Niger Delta region, I want to assure them that this change does not remove anything from them. The NDDC remains under the Ministry of Regional Development, and all other agencies are still functioning. It’s merely a change in nomenclature,” Momoh said.
   
He urged the people of the Niger Delta not to feel as though the Ministry of Niger Delta had been wholly scrapped, stressing that all structures and functions remain intact, with the ministry’s activities now expanded under its new name.
   
However, renowned public administration scholar Prof Ladipo Adamolekun expressed cautious optimism about President Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle. He emphasised the need for the President to focus on the “centre of government,” which is critical to effective policy implementation and monitoring.
   
“The centre of government in Nigeria is too weak, and when it is weak, the overall performance of the government will also be weak. Those at the centre include the President, Vice President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief of Staff, and the Head of Service (HOS). I have not observed better coordination from them, and I think President Tinubu should address this, as there is little to expect from these ministers,” Adamolekun said.
   
Although Adamolekun, a consultant to the World Bank, praised Tinubu for removing the Minister of Education, he criticised the former minister for raising the minimum age for university admission to 18, arguing that some students are already earning PhDs at 16.
   
In contrast, Chief Goddy Uwazuruike, Emeritus President of Aka Ikenga, criticised the cabinet reshuffle, stating that it had only increased the cost of governance without addressing the pressing concerns of Nigerians. Uwazuruike further claimed that the reshuffle and the dismissal of certain ministers demonstrated President Tinubu’s animosity towards the Igbo people. 
   
Speaking with The Guardian in Enugu, he expressed disappointment that the President had not reduced the number of ministries, which would have cut the costs associated with maintaining a large cabinet.
   
“The quality of the cabinet remains unimpressive despite the reshuffle. It’s mostly a case of renaming ministries with no substantial change. We have always had ministries like Youth and Information combined, Health and Humanitarian Affairs, and Power, Housing, and Works together. Now, we have multiple ministers for these sectors, along with ministers of state.     
 
“What exactly are they doing? Each minister requires several vehicles, and with every new appointment, the government has to purchase six or seven vehicles. Where is this taking us?” Uwazuruike asked.
   
“From the Igbo point of view, it’s more of the same. Nothing has truly changed,” he concluded. Writer and political analyst Prof Adebayo Williams said it is too early to commend or criticise President Tinubu’s appointments and postings, as many newly appointed individuals are not widely known. 
   
He said: “Honestly, I cannot say much about many of the new appointees, except for Bianca Ojukwu, who was once Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain and is now appointed as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. My view is that her previous role was more of a political appointment rather than a career diplomat position. Appointing her to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which requires professional expertise, could present challenges in the future, depending on how she manages the portfolio when she assumes office. As for the other appointees, I would need more time to form an opinion.”
   
In another reaction, Abagun Kole Omololu, a prominent member of Afenifere, praised President Tinubu for the reshuffle and expressed confidence in the new appointments. He said, “The President must have conducted due diligence before selecting and reassigning ministers.”
   
Omololu appealed to Nigerians to support the new ministers and the administration. He remarked, “President Tinubu is trying to address problems that have plagued Nigeria for over 46 years, and it will require significant support from Nigerians for him to succeed.” 
   
STAKEHOLDERS from the Niger Delta region condemned Tinubu’s decision to scrap the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, calling it “insensitive and inhumane.” They argued that the move further demonstrates the President’s disregard for the development of the Niger Delta, a region they describe as the “goose that lays the golden egg” for the nation.
   
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) announced plans to meet today to discuss the matter. Similarly, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) expressed its disapproval, with the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, stating that the proposal to place the NDDC under the newly created Ministry of Regional Development is unacceptable. He stressed that the NDDC was established for a specific purpose and called for respect for the law that created the commission.
   
Oyakemeagbegha also advocated for creating a South-South Development Commission, which would focus on the development of the South-South region, and suggested that this body could be overseen by the Ministry of Regional Development rather than the NDDC. He urged that efforts be made to maintain the relative peace in the Niger Delta.
   
Dr Omenazu Jackson, Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights (SSJHR), also condemned the decision, describing it as “a misplaced priority, very insensitive, and inhumane.” He argued that the President’s actions demonstrate a lack of empathy for the people of the Niger Delta. 
   
Jackson said he had expected Tinubu to order international oil companies (IOCs) to relocate to the Niger Delta, a move he believes would have been thoughtful and commendable. He said, “The IOCs need to be present in the region to truly understand the environmental challenges the people face. After extracting oil, they return to Lagos and Abuja, leaving the local communities to suffer environmental degradation.”
   
Jackson insisted that the Niger Delta Ministry is essential for the region’s development, as its resources sustain the entire nation. Elder statesman and leader of the Ijaw nation, Chief Edwin Clark, expressed shock and disappointment at the federal government’s decision to abolish the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. He argued that there was no justification for the decision, noting that the ministry had a clear mandate to promote peace and development. 
   
Clark criticised the government’s lack of development plans and funding, particularly highlighting the East-West Road project, which remains neglected since its transfer back to the Ministry of Works.
   
He raised concerns about the federal government’s commitment to regional development, questioning whether creating multiple development commissions would truly serve the region’s needs. Clark also recalled the outcomes of the 2014 national conference, where agreements were made to increase revenue allocation to the Niger Delta and fund post-conflict recovery efforts, agreements that he believes have not been honoured.
  
 He called on the government to engage with leaders from the Niger Delta and South-South regions to ensure their perspectives are considered in future development plans. He stressed the importance of transparency in the government’s regional development strategy and emphasised that the interests of the Niger Delta cannot be overlooked.
   
Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Adebayo Adewole praised President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle, calling it an improvement over Buhari’s administration. He emphasised that while appointees can drive change, the ultimate responsibility lies with the President’s leadership. Adewole commended Bianca Ojukwu’s appointment, highlighting its diversity and expertise.
   
REACTIONS have followed the dismissal of the immediate past Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman. Nigerians took to social media to celebrate the minister’s removal, describing it as welcome news. Many expressed anger over Mamman’s announcement of age restrictions on university admissions.
   
Prof Friday Okonofua of the University of Benin hailed President Tinubu’s decision to sack certain ministers as his “best decision ever. “ He particularly criticised the former Education Minister’s age restrictions for SSCE and UTME exams. He called the move a victory for Nigerians.
   
Commenting on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, @SOTesleem tweeted, “The (former) Minister of Education deserved that sack for making the infamous age restriction for admission into tertiary education his biggest policy statement.”
   
National Mobilisation Officer of the Education Rights Campaign, Adaramoye Michael (Lenin), stated, “We all agree that the sacked Minister of Education was overseeing an education sector that not only failed but did not meet the expectations and needs of many stakeholders in the sector.” He added, however, that Mamman’s dismissal was likely due to political reasons rather than his controversial age restriction policy.
   
Tourism stakeholders welcomed the recent merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy.  Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, President of the Institute of Tourism Professionals of Nigeria, believed this move would promote community-based tourism, sustainable practices, and cultural sensitivity. 
   
He emphasised the strong connection between culture and tourism, highlighting its potential to foster cross-cultural understanding, support local economies, and preserve cultural heritage.
   
Susan Akporiaye, immediate past President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies, agreed that the merger is a positive development. She argued that Nigeria’s tourism product is fundamentally intertwined with its culture and creative economy, encompassing art, craft, music, dance, and film. Combining these sectors under one ministry allows for better integration and promotion of Nigeria’s diverse cultural offerings.
   
Akporiaye also sees the merger as a way to reduce government expenditure and streamline operations. She believes that a single ministry will be more efficient and effective in promoting Nigerian tourism on the global stage. 
   
However, she stressed the importance of appointing a knowledgeable and capable minister to lead this integrated approach. The success of this merger hinges on the minister’s ability to effectively leverage Nigeria’s cultural assets to boost tourism and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.