President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced significant changes to Nigeria’s federal ministries and ministerial portfolios, aimed at boosting efficiency and enhancing the government’s capacity to meet its promises to the nation.
The presidency released a statement outlining eight key actions approved by the president. These include the renaming of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development to the Ministry of Regional Development, which will now oversee all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, South East Development Commission, North East Development Commission, and North West Development Commission.
“The restructuring is designed to ensure that our ministries and commissions function more effectively in delivering results to Nigerians,” President Tinubu said in the statement.
Other major changes include the winding up of the Ministry of Sports Development, with its functions transferred to the National Sports Commission, and the merger of the Federal Ministry of Tourism with the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture to form the new Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.
Additionally, ten ministers have been reassigned to new portfolios, five ministers discharged from their roles, and seven new ministers nominated for Senate confirmation.
Among the ministers affected by the reshuffle, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, previously Minister of State for Education, has been reassigned as Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, formerly Minister of State for Health, will now lead the Ministry of Education.
Abubakar Eshiokpekha Momoh, who had been serving as Minister of Niger Delta Development, will now oversee the newly named Ministry of Regional Development. Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, previously Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, has been reassigned as Minister of State for Finance.
The president emphasized that the new ministerial appointments are part of a broader strategy to reposition the administration for “optimal efficiency.”
Among the ministers discharged from their roles are Barr. Uju-Ken Ohanenye, former Minister of Women Affairs, and Lola Ade-John, former Minister of Tourism.
In expressing gratitude to the outgoing ministers, President Tinubu acknowledged their service to the country, stating, “I thank each of these individuals for their contributions to our administration and wish them the best in their future endeavors.”
The new ministers nominated by the president for Senate confirmation include Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment. Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu has been nominated as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
In addition to these nominations, President Tinubu has appointed Shehu Dikko as the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, while Sunday Akin Dare has been named Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation.
In closing, the president called on all appointees, both new and reassigned, to embrace their roles as “a call to serve the nation,” stressing the administration’s determination to place Nigeria on a path of “irreversible growth.”
