Tinubu Declares: ‘I’m Not Prepared to Downsize My Cabinet’”

President Bola Tinubu dismisses calls to reduce his cabinet size, emphasizing the importance of robust governance amidst national challenges.

On Monday, President Bola Tinubu firmly addressed critics labeling his cabinet as “bloated,” stating that he is unwilling to reduce the size of his 48-member team.

“I am not prepared to reduce the size of my cabinet,” Tinubu stated during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the upscale Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

The former Lagos governor stated, “I am not willing to reduce the size of my cabinet,” emphasizing that “efficiency” has been central in choosing his ministers.

The influential member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also stated that he has no regrets about eliminating the petrol subsidy in May 2023, asserting that Nigeria cannot continue to act as a benefactor to neighboring countries.

“I have absolutely no regrets about removing the petrol subsidy. We were spending away our future and deceiving ourselves; that reform was essential,” he told reporters.

In August 2023, three months following his inauguration, Tinubu appointed 48 ministers. The Senate promptly screened and confirmed them. Among these ministers, Betta Edu was suspended in January, while Simon Lalong transitioned to the Senate.

There have been demands for the President to reorganize his cabinet, as a significant number of Nigerians are dissatisfied with some ministers’ performance, particularly given the unprecedented inflation, severe economic challenges, and increasing insecurity.

In October 2024, Tinubu reassigned ten ministers to different ministerial roles and nominated seven new ones for Senate approval. Additionally, he dismissed five of his ministers. Despite these changes, critics argue that the President’s cabinet is still too large, particularly due to the establishment of a Livestock Ministry with its own minister.