President Tinubu Reshuffles Cabinet, Merges Ministries in Major Shake-Up

In a significant cabinet reshuffle announced on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu has made sweeping changes to his ministerial team, merging several ministries and appointing new officials. The changes were announced during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, as detailed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesperson.

Key changes include the dissolution of the Niger Delta Ministry and the Ministry of Sports Development. In their place, a new Ministry of Regional Development has been established to oversee various regional development commissions, such as the Niger Delta Development Commission and others across the country.

The Ministry of Tourism has also been merged with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy to form a more integrated approach to these sectors. “The National Sports Commission will now assume the responsibilities previously held by the Ministry of Sports,” Onanuga confirmed.

Onanuga noted, "President Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council have taken these steps to better align ministerial roles with national priorities." He emphasized the importance of effective communication regarding the administration's achievements, stating, “Ministers must actively promote the government's activities to the public.”

In addition to the structural changes, President Tinubu appointed Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu as the new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, alongside six other newly appointed ministers. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole will serve as the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, while Idi Mukhtar Maiha has been appointed Minister of Livestock Development. Other appointments include Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, and Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

Shehu Dikko and Sunday Dare also bagged political appointments. Shehu Dikko has been named Chairman of the National Sports Commission, a role that emphasizes the government’s intention to foster a robust sports economy following the dissolution of the Ministry of Sports Development; While Sunday Dare has been appointed as Special Adviser on Public Communications and Orientation.

Five ministers were dismissed as part of the reshuffle: Barr. Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Prof. Tahir Mamman (Education), Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo (Housing and Urban Development), and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Youth Development).

This cabinet reshuffle comes amid growing pressure on President Tinubu to address perceived underperformance among his ministers, particularly in light of ongoing economic challenges, including rising inflation and insecurity.

Tinubu's administration, which appointed 48 ministers shortly after his inauguration in August 2023, aims to respond to public dissatisfaction regarding economic challenges and security issues. The president has called upon his newly appointed and reassigned ministers to view their roles as an opportunity to serve the nation and drive the administration's growth agenda.