In a major cabinet reshuffle, President Bola Tinubu dismissed six ministers and nominated seven new ones to fill the vacancies in a move political analysts argued was to improve his administration’s efficiency.
The new ministers are Dr Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade and Development.
Others are: Idi Muktar Maiha as Minister of Livestock Development, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Ata as Minister of State, Housing, and Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State, Education.
This shake-up does not only come with high expectations but also renews demands as the newly appointed ministers step into roles in critical sectors.
They are coming into the cabinet at a time when major national challenges need solutions, particularly in delivering Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda and tackling the economic challenges.
The reshuffling comes after over one year into Tinubu’s term in office, an indication that he is determined to promptly address perceived loopholes in his government.
The ministers are, therefore, expected to hit the ground running, having been confirmed by the Senate earlier in the week after screening. Nigerians would look forward to the new ministers bringing in fresh perspectives with their varied experiences. They are also under increased scrutiny as Nigerians expect more deliverables in terms of good governance.
Expectations
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu
One of the new cabinet members includes Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. As a seasoned diplomat and one-time ambassador to Spain, Odumegwu-Ojukwu no doubt brings into the function a wealth of diplomatic experience. Her appointment shows more emphasis placed on diplomacy and international relations at a period when Nigeria wishes to ramp up foreign investment, firm up bilateral relations, and alter its image on the world stage.
With this background, Odumegwu-Ojukwu is likely to carry Nigeria’s relations further ahead, not only with traditional allies but also with new emerging partners, opening up new avenues for trade, security cooperation, and cultural exchanges.
Nentawe Yilwatda
Also joining the cabinet is Nentawe Yilwatda, who has been assigned to lead the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. His appointment falls at a time when poverty levels and humanitarian crises are rising across different regions of the country. Engineering and community development background could be important in devising sustainable solutions to such challenges.
He replaces Betta Edu, who was suspended on allegations of corruption; his mandate is clear: to aggressively address poverty alleviation, improve the welfare of displaced communities, and effectively implement social safety programs.
This Ministry is now under the close watch of the general public, and thus much is expected from Yilwatda in ensuring that transparency and efficiency characterize the disbursement of aid and resources to the most vulnerable in the nation.
Maigari Dingyadi
Not new to ministerial appointment, the new Minister of Labour and Employment, was from 2019 to 2023, the Minister of Police Affairs and is recognized for his vast experience in government administration.
Dingyadi has now assumed duty at the Ministry of Labour with the assumption of office, taking responsibility for Nigeria’s unemployment rate, labor disputes, and implementation of decent work.
He enters into this responsibility at a period when strikes and industrial actions are very frequent, at a time when there is an imperative need for constructive dialogue with labor unions and for a labor market that allows for both workers’ rights and economic growth.
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole has taken over the reins of affairs in the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment. An academic of repute with considerable public service experience from her days as Special Adviser on Ease of Doing Business, Oduwole has to work harder to ensure an improvement in ease of doing business environment for businesses-particularly small and medium-sized enterprises-to create the much-needed jobs and diversify the economy.
Oduwole’s wide experience in policies related to industry could therefore be an asset in finding solutions to the bottlenecks in trade and in cutting unnecessary bureaucracy that has stood in the way of investments. The role puts her at the helm of the administration’s economic agenda of wooing local and international investment.
Idi Maiha
Having been in the agricultural industry for decades, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha’s vast experience in the area of livestock and energy could be utilized in attempting to solve some of the agricultural problems of Nigeria.
The establishment of the Ministry is a strategic emphasis by the administration on how to manage the livestock and potentials for revenue generation, adding that it is very key to ensuring food security. Maiha is expected to work on initiatives to increase local livestock production, which would reduce import dependency while promoting employment and rural development.
This is because, in most Nigerian communities, the lives of people depend much on livestock; therefore, success in this ministry would, to some extent, have a ripple positive effect.
Yusuf Ata
Yusuf Ata, who had been a Speaker in the Kano State House of Assembly, has now been appointed Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development.
His political experience will no doubt be beneficial in negotiating the maze of housing policy, considering that available and affordable housing solutions in Nigeria are in high demand at an all-time high.
Ata is expected to address the scaling up of access to housing and urban development projects, the challenge of sprawl, and even how to collaborate with private developers with a view to cutting the deficits in housing.
Suwaiba Ahmad
The Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmed, is an advocate of education and the immediate past director of the Centre for Gender Studies at Bayero University.
Ahmad, with an academic background, will no doubt make a special contribution to the sector, especially as she has the added advantage of emphasis on gender. In all probability, Ahmad would battle the seeming inadequacy of educational infrastructure within the system, unequal access to education, and gender disparities.
Her experience will, no doubt, influence her to adopt policies that will ensure inclusive education, especially amongst marginalized groups.
Likely Challenges
The cabinet reshuffle, which also included shifting responsibilities for ten serving ministers, may be a well-calculated move by Tinubu in attempting to address a number of challenges that cut across the ministries.
But the new ministers will be expected to rise to the occasion as they begin strapping on their gears to tackle topical issues such as poverty, employment, education, and infrastructure.
The onus will, therefore, be upon them, observers and citizens alike to watch their progress in the field, with expectations that they will make measurable impacts.
