Tinubu Wraps Up Cabinet List, Shuts Door on Lobbyists at UK Residence

President Tinubu has officially concluded his new cabinet appointments and taken a strong stance by barring lobbyists from his UK residence. Learn about the implications for Nigeria’s political landscape.

According to several sources within the Presidency, Tinubu has finalized the list of ministers who will either be retained or removed. He was anticipated to release this list on Thursday night, just one day after arriving in the United Kingdom for his two-week annual leave.

Faced with mounting economic difficulties and the widespread protests in August, the President is experiencing heightened pressure to dismiss underperforming ministers. This pressure comes both from within his own party, the All Progressives Congress, as well as external sources.

Despite repeatedly warning about underperformance, the president’s cabinet has largely stayed unchanged. The notable exception is the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, in January 2024.

In November, at a three-day retreat for cabinet members and presidential aides, Tinubu established the Central Delivery Coordination Unit. This unit is managed by his Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, and is responsible for assessing the performance of ministers and other senior officials.

The President emphasized that the results of these performance assessments would decide which cabinet members remain or depart.

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“If you are performing, there’s nothing to fear. If the objective is missed, we’ll review it. Lack of performance means you’ll have to leave us. Remember, no one can do it all alone and ultimately, I’m responsible,” Tinubu told the attendees.

Nearly a year after the president’s cabinet took office in August 2023, reports indicated that a reshuffle was on the horizon. However, officials were uncertain about when exactly it would occur.

It was disclosed that the modifications would extend beyond a mere exchange of portfolios. Some ministries, like the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, were anticipated to be eliminated, while other portfolios might either merge or divide.

Officials, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that although the list was originally scheduled for release on Thursday, the President chose to “sleep on it” a little longer.

“We’re simply waiting for the green light. According to a source, we’re anticipating him sending over the updated list of individuals he plans to remove and appoint.”

Another official commented, “I’m surprised the list wasn’t released yesterday. It’s almost complete.”

Officials dismissed reports that lobbyists were gathering at Tinubu’s UK residence. “That’s not true. Even if they know his location, access is restricted. He’s resting, and no one can just walk in to see him like that,” clarified a source.

The Presidency confirmed on September 25, 2024, that a cabinet reshuffle was forthcoming, informed by performance data collected by the Central Delivery Coordination Unit.

Tinubu began his working leave in the UK on October 2, and it is set to conclude on October 16.