In a significant move aimed at improving governance and efficiency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced a comprehensive restructuring of ministries and ministerial portfolios.
The Presidency issued a statement on October 23, 2024, detailing eight key actions approved by the President to optimize the administration’s capacity to fulfill its commitments to Nigerians.
The approved measures include:
- Renaming of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development to the Ministry of Regional Development, tasked with overseeing the activities of all Regional Development Commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, South East Development Commission, North East Development Commission, and North West Development Commission.
- Winding Up of the Ministry of Sports Development with its functions transferred to the National Sports Commission to foster a vibrant sports economy.
- Merger of the Federal Ministry of Tourism and the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture to form the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.
- Reassignment of ten ministers to new portfolios to better align their expertise with current governance needs.
- Discharge of five ministers from their current roles.
- Nomination of seven new ministers for confirmation by the Senate.
- Appointment of Shehu Dikko as Chairman of the National Sports Commission.
- Appointment of Sunday Akin Dare as Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation, operating from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
Ministers Reassigned to New Portfolios
The following ministers have been reassigned to new roles:
- Hon. Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu is now the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, previously serving as Minister of State for Education.
- Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa has been appointed as the Minister of Education, moving from his previous role as Minister of State for Health.
- Barr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo will now serve as Minister of State for Works, having previously held the position of Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation.
- Hon. Abubakar Eshiokpekha Momoh has been reassigned from Minister of Niger Delta Development to Minister of Regional Development.
- Uba Maigari Ahmadu will now serve as Minister of State for Regional Development, transitioning from his former role as Minister of State for Steel Development.
- Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite has been appointed Minister of State for Finance, previously the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.
- Sen. John Owan Enoh now serves as Minister of State for Trade and Investment (Industry), previously Minister of Sports Development.
- Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim is now the Minister of Women Affairs, moving from the role of Minister of State for Police Affairs.
- Ayodele Olawande will now serve as the Minister for Youth Development, previously the Minister of State for Youth Development.
- Dr. Salako Iziaq Adekunle Adeboye is now the Minister of State for Health, moving from the role of Minister of State for Environment.
Discharged Ministers
The following ministers have been discharged from their positions:
- Barr. Uju-Ken Ohanenye – Minister of Women Affairs
- Lola Ade-John – Minister of Tourism
- Prof. Tahir Mamman SAN OON – Minister of Education
- Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo – Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development
- Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim – Minister of Youth Development
Newly Appointed Ministers
The following new ministers have been appointed:
- Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda is the new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
- Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi has been appointed Minister of Labour and Employment.
- Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu is now the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
- Dr. Jumoke Oduwole serves as the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
- Idi Mukhtar Maiha has been appointed as Minister of Livestock Development.
- Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata is the new Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development.
- Suwaiba Said Ahmad, PhD, serves as the Minister of State for Education.
In his statement, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the outgoing members of the Federal Executive Council for their service and wished them well in their future endeavors.
He emphasized that the new appointments and reassigned roles should be seen as a call to serve the nation, urging all appointees to commit themselves to the administration’s vision of driving Nigeria toward sustainable growth and development.