President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is gearing up for a significant cabinet reshuffle, according to insiders at the presidency. This reorganization will see new ministers appointed and a new ministry dedicated to livestock development established, as reported by Daily Trust.
The move aims to advance the administration’s livestock master plan, launched in August last year. This new ministry will focus on mitigating the ongoing farmer-herder conflicts that have severely impacted food security and led to significant loss of lives and property. The creation of this ministry is a crucial step towards resolving these issues and boosting the livestock sector, a vital part of the country’s agricultural output.
The livestock master plan, initiated last August, was designed to tackle industry challenges and guide sector development. A source revealed that the new ministry is expected to lead efforts in resolving the persistent farmer-herder conflicts, which have undermined the country’s food security and caused numerous casualties and property damage.
Another insider suggested that the president envisions ranching as a solution, with state governments providing land for federal projects. The plan aims to enhance livestock production and processing, improve the livelihoods of farmers and herders, and promote sustainable development in the sector.
The new ministry will spearhead the implementation of the livestock master plan, coordinate stakeholder activities, and ensure sustainable and inclusive sector development. In addition to this, the cabinet reshuffle will include appointing state ministers for most ministries currently having only one minister. This change is expected to bolster the government’s efficiency and overall cabinet performance.
The reshuffle might also result in some ministers being removed, with a former governor rumored to be among those departing. Some state ministers are expected to be promoted to full ministerial roles. The president’s Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, has been evaluating ministers’ performance based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which will likely influence the president’s decisions. However, political considerations may also affect the final outcomes.
When approached, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, mentioned, “I’m not aware of any cabinet reshuffling. What I do know is that the president is preparing to address the nation for Democracy Day celebrations and will be heading to Lagos for Sallah celebrations on Thursday.”
