President Bola Tinubu made a major cabinet shake-up on Wednesday, dismissing six ministers and nominating seven new ones, including Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the widow of the former Biafran leader. This decision was announced during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting led by the President.
The ministers who were relieved of their duties include Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Prof. Tahir Mamman (Education), Abdullahi Gwarzo (Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development), and Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development).
Among the new nominees, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda will replace Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Maigari Dingyadi has been nominated for the Labour and Employment portfolio, Jumoke Oduwole for Industry, Trade, and Investment, and Idi Maiha will head the newly established Livestock Development Ministry. Yusuf Ata is nominated as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, while Suwaiba Ahmad will serve as Minister of State for Education. Bianca Ojukwu is also expected to take on the role of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, pending Senate confirmation.
Additionally, the FEC approved a rebranding of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, now called the Ministry of Regional Development, which will oversee commissions across the Niger Delta, South East, North East, and North West regions.
The Ministry of Sports Development has been dissolved, with its duties transferred to the National Sports Commission, aimed at boosting the nation’s sports economy. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism has merged with the Ministry of Arts and Culture, forming the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy.
According to insiders, this reshuffle is part of President Tinubu’s strategy to strengthen his government’s ability to implement key reforms and respond more effectively to national challenges. “There was a general sense that the cabinet could perform much better,” a source shared anonymously.
