Barring last-minute changes, the Presidency has confirmed that a cabinet reshuffle is imminent, with sources indicating that 11 ministers could be relieved of their positions.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed this development yesterday during his first media briefing with State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
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Onanuga, joined by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, did not provide a timeline for when President Bola Tinubu would reshuffle his cabinet, but insiders believe the announcement will be made later this week. The reshuffle announcement was delayed after the conclusion of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday.
Onanuga confirmed that the President was considering a reshuffle of his council but declined to specify when the ministers would be moved or dismissed.
“It’s true President Bola Tinubu has plans to reshuffle his cabinet, but I can’t say specifically whether that will be done before the Independence celebration on October 1,” he said.
It is worth noting that President Tinubu appointed his ministers in August last year.
11 Ministers at Risk as Tinubu Prepares for Cabinet Shake-up
However, those familiar with the details of the imminent cabinet change stated that at least 11 ministers have been shortlisted for replacement, with Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila likely to be relieved of his appointment.
Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has been identified as a likely replacement for Gbajabiamila. If he declines the offer, the current Principal Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, may fill the position.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, is expected to get a junior minister, potentially Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele.
While decisive action may be taken on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, insiders suggest the ministry might be scrapped due to significant malfeasance and corruption within intervention programs.
Other ministers likely to be affected by the reshuffle include Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of State, Environment and Ecological Management, Ishak Salaco; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Doris Anite; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Some ministers may be moved to other ministries, while those found to have performed below expectations will be removed.
The official confirmation of a cabinet shake-up follows months of speculation since Tinubu’s first anniversary in office. Many Nigerians have voiced concerns over the need for better governance amid economic challenges. Several ministers have fallen short of the expectations set by the President’s Renewed Hope agenda. One year after Tinubu inaugurated his 45-member cabinet, many Nigerians have expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance.
Although some ministers have shown flashes of brilliance, critical stakeholders agree that a cabinet reshuffle is urgent. They believe the President should replace political allies with more capable, experienced, and committed professionals if he hopes to rescue Nigeria from socio-economic challenges.
President Tinubu has also instructed his ministers to actively promote his administration’s accomplishments. According to Onanuga, Tinubu urged the ministers to “go out there and shout about your and the administration’s successes.” He noted that some ministers were hesitant to speak publicly, adding, “Many Nigerians believe the President isn’t doing much, while the government is making significant strides.”
Tinubu emphasized that his ministers should focus more on communicating these achievements to the public. Ogra corroborated this by stating that the President already had some performance reports from cabinet members, which would help determine who would be affected by the reshuffle.
“We also need to realize that the President’s decision to reshuffle is based on empirical evidence. He mentioned during the ministerial retreat that he would conduct periodic reviews, and the data from these reviews will inform his decisions. I know he’s received a couple of reports, and when he’s ready to make changes, I believe he will,” Ogra said.
Stakeholders have assessed the ministers’ performances and noted that except for Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, and Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, most ministers performed below expectations in key areas.
This dismal performance aligns with the 2024 Quarter 1 assessment report by the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Coordination and the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU), which rated most ministers below average in terms of promises versus deliveries.
Concerned stakeholders specifically criticized the administration’s economic and security teams, concluding that under Tinubu, Nigeria’s economy has been severely weakened. While Tinubu’s policies have impoverished the masses, Nigerians expressed anger over the lavish lifestyle of cabinet members, attributing this to the President’s failure to lead by example and tackle corruption.
Opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), argued that Nigeria’s challenges related to welfare and security are not just about the ministers or a cabinet reshuffle. They claimed, “The President has lost control, and his incompetence is evident in the actions of each cabinet member across various ministries.”
Meanwhile, Arewa Awareness on Good Governance has issued a statement urging the House of Representatives to resist any alleged attempt to reinstate Dr. Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The group’s spokesperson, Malam Germa Ibrahim Musa, emphasized that the lower legislative chamber must uphold its duties as outlined in the 1999 Constitution. The group expressed concern over attempts by vested interests to reinstate Edu, who was suspended last year for alleged misconduct.
They called on Speaker of the House, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, to reject any lobbying efforts in favor of Edu’s reinstatement and stressed the importance of accountability and transparency.
The group also urged Abbas to address the conduct of one of his senior legislative aides, Cecilia Ogbeche-Odok, who reportedly supported Edu’s reinstatement.
“Ogbeche’s arrogance and disconnect from the needs of Nigerians is staggering. We will not tolerate her continued presence in the Speaker’s office. Speaker Abbas must take decisive action to restore credibility to his office,” the statement concluded.
