UPDATED: President Tinubu Swears In Seven New Ministers to Bolster Cabinet

President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in seven new ministers, aiming to strengthen his administration’s cabinet. Discover the key figures appointed and their roles in advancing Nigeria’s development agenda.

President Bola Tinubu has officially inaugurated seven newly appointed ministers at the Council Chambers of Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The individuals who were sworn in are Nentawe Yilwatda as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as the Minister of Labour and Employment, and Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The list also includes Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Idi Mukhtar Maiha, the Minister of Livestock Development; Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development; and Suwaiba Said Ahmad as the Minister of State for Education.

The individuals sworn in are Nentawe Yilwatda as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as the Minister of Labour and Employment, and Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The others include Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Idi Mukhtar Maiha, the Minister of Livestock Development; Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development; and Suwaiba Said Ahmad as the Minister of State for Education.

In his speech to the ministers, Tinubu urged them to embrace their responsibilities.

“Nigeria is staying afloat. This ship won’t go down, and we are committed to our responsibilities,” he stated.

I am honored to guide you, and together we will achieve success and prosperity. We have faced challenges head-on, putting an end to exploitation by opportunists.

The swearing-in on Monday occurred just days after President Tinubu appointed them and the Senate confirmed their appointments.

Demands for a cabinet reshuffle by the president have intensified in response to Nigeria’s declining economic situation, which has further deteriorated living standards throughout the country.

In response to calls in October, President Tinubu dismissed five ministers and nominated seven replacements. The dismissed officials were Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Tahir Mamman (Education), Abdullahi Gwarzo (State, Housing and Urban Development), and Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development).

This was in addition to assigning new portfolios to ten other ministers.

In August 2023, merely three months following his inauguration, Tinubu appointed a cabinet consisting of 48 members.

The Senate quickly reviewed and confirmed their nominations; however, Simon Lalong transitioned to the upper legislative chamber. Meanwhile, Betta Edu, appointed head of the Humanitarian Ministry, was suspended due to corruption allegations.

In his recent cabinet reshuffle, Tinubu eliminated two ministries: the Niger Delta Development and Sports Development.

Instead of the disbanded Niger Delta Development Ministry, the president announced the establishment of a new Ministry of Regional Development.

It will supervise the activities of all development commissions.

Under the new Ministry of Regional Development, several commissions have been established, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, the South East Development Commission, and both the North East and North West Development Commissions.

For the Ministry of Sports Development, Tinubu delegated its responsibilities to the National Sports Commission (NSC), tasking it with “creating a dynamic sports economy.”

He additionally authorized the merger of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Arts and Culture to form the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.