President Bola Tinubu‘s recent cabinet reshuffle, which saw the dismissal of five ministers and the appointment of seven new ones, was significantly influenced by feedback from Nigerian citizens. According to Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the decision to remove the ministers was based on public perception and empirical data.
Onanuga explained that the process involved asking Nigerians to score the ministers’ performance. This feedback was crucial in determining which ministers would be removed. He stated that the President acted on the results of this public scoring, emphasizing that the dismissals were not whimsical but rather based on the expectations of the public.
The ministers who were let go include Barr. Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Minister of Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Minister of Tourism), Prof. Tahir Mamman SAN OON (Minister of Education), Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo (Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development), and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Minister of Youth Development). These removals were part of a broader effort to enhance the effectiveness of the government.
The reshuffle also included the reassignment of 10 ministers to new portfolios and the introduction of new ministers for key areas such as humanitarian and poverty reduction, trade and investment, labor, and livestock development. New junior ministers were also appointed for foreign affairs, education, and housing.
Critics and opposition figures have mixed reactions to the reshuffle. Some argue that the changes do not go far enough, suggesting that more ministers should have been sacked and that key ministries such as Defence, Power, and Health need more significant reforms. Others have expressed dissatisfaction with the retention of certain ministers and the scrapping of ministries like the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
Despite the criticism, the Presidency maintains that the reshuffle is part of a larger strategy to address the country’s pressing challenges and to reduce the cost of governance. Onanuga hinted at upcoming announcements regarding cuts in government expenses to demonstrate the government’s commitment to reducing costs.
