Nigeria’s President Tinubu Scraps ‘Superfluous Ministries’ in Cabinet Reshuffle, Receives Commendation from Former Spokesman
In a recent move, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has scrapped several ‘superfluous ministries’ in his cabinet reshuffle, a decision that has been commended by former presidential spokesman, Dr. Doyin Okupe. Okupe, who is also the former Director-General of Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, expressed his support for the move in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Lagos.
According to Okupe, President Tinubu has taken a step in the right direction by streamlining his cabinet and removing unnecessary ministries. "Scrapping superfluous ministries is in line with removing waste and making government compact and effective, this is commendable," he said. Okupe also noted that the removal of ministers from the cabinet was not arbitrary or sentimental, but rather based on a key performance index report and critical performance assessment by KPMG.
The cabinet reshuffle saw the sacking of five ministers and the appointment of seven new ones. The newly appointed ministers include Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment; Mrs. Bianca Odumegu-Ojukwu, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs; and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.
In addition to the appointments, President Tinubu also restructured several ministerial portfolios, including the Ministry of Nigeria Delta Development, which is now Ministry of Regional Development. The Regional Development Commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, the South East Development Commission, the North East Development, and the North West Development Commission, will be under the supervision of the new Ministry.
The President also approved 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. Furthermore, the Ministry of Sports Development was wound up, and its functions were transferred to the National Sports Commission to develop a vibrant sports economy.
Okupe expressed hope in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reposition the country, stating that the President has the capacity and leadership qualities to take Nigeria out of its economic challenges. "As I have personally stated in the past, President Tinubu has the capacity and leadership qualities to take Nigeria out of the economic quagmire he met on assumption of office in May 2023," Okupe said.
The cabinet reshuffle is seen as a positive move towards a more efficient and effective government, and Okupe’s commendation is a testament to the President’s commitment to streamlining his administration and tackling the country’s challenges head-on.
