By In a sweeping cabinet reshuffle during the 19th Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reassigned ten ministers, discharged five, and nominated seven new appointees for Senate confirmation. Notably, Ogun State received four ministerial roles, the highest for any state, which has sparked discussions about federal inclusivity.
The reshuffle also introduced structural changes, including renaming the Ministry of Niger Delta Development to the Ministry of Regional Development, merging the Ministries of Tourism and Arts and Culture, and dissolving the Ministry of Sports Development. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Ogun) is expected to become Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, among other appointees awaiting Senate confirmation.
Responses to the reshuffle have been mixed. Some expressed concerns about Ogun State’s ministerial representation potentially challenging the federal character principles. However, Senator Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers East) clarified that while federal character is constitutionally required, it is not the sole basis for appointments, emphasizing the need for capable leadership.
In cost-cutting measures, President Tinubu also mandated that ministers and agency heads limit official convoys to three vehicles and have no more than five security personnel. These decisions align with earlier directives reducing entourage sizes on government trips.
Meanwhile, prominent voices from the Niger Delta, including Chief Edwin Clark and Obong Victor Attah, voiced disapproval over the merging of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, urging the President to reconsider. Government officials clarified that the move aims to unify and strengthen regional development efforts across the country.
With the restructuring drawing both support and critique, analysts observe that the shakeup signals Tinubu’s focus on administrative efficiency and balanced regional representation, while the reactions underscore ongoing debates over inclusivity and national equity in governance.
