ABUJA, Nigeria – Just hours before the highly anticipated inauguration of his new cabinet, President Bola Tinubu made sweeping changes in his ministerial line-up on Sunday, August 20, 2023, signaling a potential strategic shift in his governance approach.
In a press statement released on Sunday, August 20, 2023, by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, it was announced that three Ministers-Designate initially slated for the Federal Ministries of Transportation, Interior, and Marine & Blue Economy had been reassigned:
- H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola, formerly the Minister-Designate for Transportation, will now head the Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy.
- Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, previously aligned with the Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, is now tasked with leading the Ministry of Interior.
- Hon. Sa’idu Alkali has been relocated to take the helm of the Ministry of Transportation.
In addition to these major reshuffles, both Ministers of State for the Oil & Gas sector have been consolidated under the umbrella of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources:
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- Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri is designated as the Hon. Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources.
- Meanwhile, Hon. Ekperipe Ekpo assumes the role of Hon. Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources.
A noteworthy change also came in the form of a ministry renaming: The Federal Ministry of Environment and Ecological Management will henceforth be known as the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The statement further emphasized that “all aforementioned changes take immediate effect by these directives of the President.”
The last-minute shuffle highlights the dynamic nature of the political landscape in Nigeria and suggests that President Tinubu is keen on ensuring that his team is best positioned to address the nation’s challenges and opportunities.
The nation awaits with keen interest how these changes will shape the trajectory of President Tinubu’s administration.
