Former Communications Minister Adebayo Shittu has defended President Bola Tinubu’s large cabinet, asserting that it aligns with Nigeria’s vast population and governance needs.
In an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, Shittu argued that with over 200 million citizens, Nigeria’s government requires sufficient staffing to serve its population effectively.
Shittu, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, highlighted the growing complexity of governance and the need for specialized ministries to address emerging challenges.
“Governance is expanding, and new ministries are being created. We need people to manage these new areas effectively,” he explained.
Shittu added that efficiency in governance should not be compromised in pursuit of minor cost-cutting measures, stating, “There’s no point in saving a kobo only to lose so much naira.”
He further explained that a cabinet of around 50 ministers is reasonable given the size and complexity of the country. He pointed to large ministries, such as agriculture and education, that oversee over 50 agencies in some cases.
“If a single minister is responsible for supervising all of these agencies, the oversight can become too unwieldy,” Shittu noted.
He suggested that dividing responsibilities into separate ministries, such as primary and higher education, could improve efficiency and management.
Citing governance models from other large countries, Shittu argued that Nigeria’s cabinet should reflect the extensive responsibilities it faces, saying, “For a huge country like Nigeria, with the enormous tasks each ministry faces, having 50 ministers is not excessive.”