Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has initiated a long-anticipated cabinet reshuffle, marking significant changes, including the dissolution of the Ministry of Niger Delta and the Ministry of Sports Development. This was revealed by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday.
In place of the Ministry of Niger Delta, a new Ministry of Regional Development will oversee all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission and similar bodies across other regions of the country. Additionally, the responsibilities of the Ministry of Sports Development will be transferred to the National Sports Commission.
The decisions were made during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, with Tinubu also approving the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy. However, it remains unclear whether Hannatu Musawa, the current culture minister, or Lola Ade-John, the tourism minister, will head the newly merged ministry.
The reshuffle follows mounting pressure on the president to revamp his cabinet. Onanuga had previously hinted at the reshuffle last month, stating that Tinubu was considering changes without specifying a timeline. He also addressed concerns over the perceived lack of visibility regarding the government’s activities, urging ministers to actively communicate their achievements to the public.
The fate of the former ministers of Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh, and Sports, John Enoh, remains uncertain as details of the reshuffle continue to emerge.
