President Bola Tinubu approved a major cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, resulting in the dismissal of six ministers and the nomination of seven new ones, including prominent figures like Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the widow of the former Biafran leader.
This decision was made during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by the President. The dismissed ministers include Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye from Women Affairs, Lola Ade-John from Tourism, Prof. Tahir Mamman from Education, Abdullahi Gwarzo as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, and Jamila Ibrahim from Youth Development.
The new nominees introduced by President Tinubu are set to take on important roles, with Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda replacing the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Chimaobim Edu.
Maigari Dingyadi has been nominated as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Jumoke Oduwole as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Idi Maiha as Minister for the newly established Livestock Development Ministry.
Additionally, Yusuf Ata will serve as the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, with Suwaiba Ahmad stepping in as Minister of State for Education.
Bianca Ojukwu is set to assume the role of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, pending Senate confirmation.
In further restructuring, the FEC approved the renaming of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development to the Ministry of Regional Development.
This newly titled ministry will oversee regional development commissions across the Niger Delta, South East, North East, and North West.
Additionally, the Ministry of Sports Development has been dissolved, with its functions transferred to the National Sports Commission to foster a vibrant sports economy.
The Ministry of Tourism has also merged with the Ministry of Arts and Culture, now rebranded as the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.
Sources close to the presidency who spoke with TheWhistler disclosed that the reshuffle aims to strengthen the administration’s capacity to implement President Tinubu’s reform agenda, reflecting a strategic realignment to enhance governmental efficiency and responsiveness to the needs of the nation.
“The general concern among some of his aides, friends, and even the public is that the cabinet can be far better than this,” revealed a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
