President Bola Tinubu is preparing to shake up his cabinet ahead of Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations on October 1, 2024. Sources within the presidency have revealed that the Tinubu cabinet reshuffle is a response to growing criticism over the administration’s handling of the economy and governance.
Several ministries, including Petroleum Resources, Power, Transport, Water Resources, Environment, and Defense, are expected to undergo changes. This restructuring comes amid discontent within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with party members voicing concerns over the administration’s performance, particularly its economic management.
A senior APC official, who chose to remain anonymous, criticized the delay in filling key ministerial positions, such as the vacant role in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. The ministry, which plays a pivotal role in welfare distribution, has remained leaderless since the suspension of its former minister. “Leaving critical positions unfilled sends the wrong message, especially when Nigerians are looking to the government for solutions,” the party official lamented.
The Tinubu cabinet reshuffle is seen as a critical step to boost the government’s image ahead of the 2027 elections. Insiders suggest that the president has been closely monitoring the performance of his ministers and is prepared to make necessary changes.
A public affairs analyst, Solomon Enemari, suggested that Tinubu’s next cabinet should prioritize technocrats over political appointees. “For Nigeria to progress, the government needs to appoint individuals based on competence, not just political loyalty,” Enemari said, pointing out that many current ministers seem ineffective, especially in areas like flood management and environmental issues.
This reshuffle follows Tinubu’s earlier decision to expand his cabinet, appointing 47 ministers across 28 ministries. As the president prepares to announce new appointees, sources indicate that the recently created Ministry of Livestock Development will also require new leadership, potentially increasing the total number of ministries to 29. The number of ministers could rise to 50, given the need for ministers of state in some portfolios.
Despite the urgency of these changes, the president is also cautious about creating political enemies as he navigates the complexities of governance and party politics. The next few weeks are seen as crucial for the Tinubu administration as it seeks to regain public trust and manage internal party dynamics.
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