President Tinubu Swears in Seven New Ministers Amid Cabinet Reshuffle and Economic Challenges
President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in seven newly-appointed ministers during a ceremony held at the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. The new ministers include Nentawe Yilwatda, appointed as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, who will serve as Minister of Labour and Employment; and Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, named Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The others are Jumoke Oduwole (Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment), Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Minister of Livestock Development), Yusuf Abdullahi Ata (Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development), and Suwaiba Said Ahmad (Minister of State for Education).
In his address, President Tinubu urged the ministers to embrace their responsibilities, stating, “Nigeria’s head is above the waters. This ship will not sink. We will not run away from our responsibilities.” He expressed confidence in their ability to lead the nation toward success and prosperity, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to tackling economic challenges and stopping corrupt practices.
The swearing-in followed the recent appointments made by President Tinubu and their swift confirmation by the Senate. This reshuffle comes amid growing calls for cabinet adjustments due to Nigeria’s economic difficulties, which have impacted the living standards of many citizens. In response to these concerns, the president dismissed five ministers, including Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye (Women Affairs) and Tahir Mamman (Education), and appointed their replacements.
Additionally, ten other ministers received new portfolios during this reshuffle. Tinubu originally appointed a 48-member cabinet in August 2023, shortly after his inauguration. While the Senate confirmed the new ministers, Simon Lalong notably moved to the upper legislative chamber, and Betta Edu, who was in charge of the Humanitarian Ministry, was suspended due to corruption allegations.
In this latest cabinet reshuffle, President Tinubu also dissolved two ministries: the Niger Delta Development Ministry and the Sports Development Ministry. He established a new Ministry of Regional Development to oversee all development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission and others focusing on specific regions. Furthermore, the functions of the Sports Development Ministry were transferred to the National Sports Commission (NSC), which has been tasked with fostering a vibrant sports economy. The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Arts and Culture were merged to create the new Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.
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