The Presidency has confirmed that a significant cabinet reshuffle is imminent. According to reliable sources, at least 11 ministers may be relieved of their duties, with changes expected to be announced later this week. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this revelation during a press briefing yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Onanuga, who was accompanied by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, indicated that while President Bola Tinubu is considering a reshuffle, no specific timeline has been provided. Insiders speculate that the reshuffle might take place before the nation’s Independence Day celebration on October 1.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, is among those believed to be at risk of losing his position. Reports suggest that Babatunde Fashola, former Minister of Works and Housing, has been identified as a possible replacement. Should Fashola decline, the current Principal Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, could step in.
Other ministries are also expected to witness significant changes. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, is likely to be assigned a junior minister, with Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, being the front-runner for this role.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, led by Betta Edu, could be scrapped altogether. Sources cite numerous allegations of corruption and mismanagement of intervention programs as reasons for the potential dissolution of the ministry.
Ministers from other key sectors, including Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (Bosun Tijani), State for Environment and Ecological Management (Ishak Salaco), Budget and Economic Planning (Atiku Bagudu), and Industry, Trade, and Investment (Doris Anite), are also expected to face dismissal or reassignment.
The reshuffle comes in response to growing public dissatisfaction with the performance of Tinubu's administration. A year after the cabinet's inauguration, many Nigerians have expressed disappointment with the government’s handling of critical issues, particularly economic hardship and insecurity. Despite flashes of excellence from a few ministers, the general consensus among political stakeholders is that most have underperformed.
The President's Renewed Hope agenda has not met the expectations of many Nigerians, and the dismal first-quarter report by the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) only underscores the urgency for change. Except for a few standouts like Nyesom Wike (FCT), Dave Umahi (Works), and Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (Interior), most ministers scored below average in the report.
In response to this, President Tinubu has tasked his ministers to actively communicate the administration’s successes to the public. Onanuga emphasized the need for transparency, noting that “many Nigerians believe the President isn’t doing much, even though there have been significant strides.”
Opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), have criticized the reshuffle, arguing that the nation’s challenges go beyond cabinet changes. They claim that President Tinubu’s leadership is failing to address the pressing issues of welfare, security, and governance.
Meanwhile, groups like the Arewa Awareness on Good Governance have raised concerns about potential reinstatements within the cabinet. Specifically, the group called on the House of Representatives to resist efforts to reinstate Betta Edu, citing her previous suspension over misconduct allegations. The group emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, urging lawmakers to scrutinize any efforts to reappoint officials involved in malfeasance.
while Nigeria awaits the official announcement, all eyes are on President Tinubu to see how this reshuffle will address the nation's mounting challenges and whether the new appointments will steer the country towards stability and growth.
