President Bola Tinubu has abolished the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Ministry of Sports Development as the commencement of the long-awaited cabinet reshuffle.
News About Nigeria reports that this announcement was made by Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesman, on Wednesday.
Onanuga stated that a new Ministry of Regional Development will be established to oversee various regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission, and North East Development Commission.
The responsibilities of the former Ministry of Sports Development will now be managed by the National Sports Commission.
During the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, the president also approved the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy.
The future roles of Abubakar Momoh, the former Niger Delta Affairs Minister, and John Enoh, the former Sports Minister, remain unclear following these changes.
Details regarding the management of the newly merged ministry are still awaited.
It has not been confirmed whether Hannatu Musawa, the current Minister of Culture, or Lola Ade-John, the Minister of Tourism, will lead the combined ministry.
Tinubu has faced increasing pressure to reorganise his cabinet.
Last month, Onanuga hinted at an imminent reshuffle, stating that the president was eager to make changes.
At a press conference at the State House in Abuja, he expressed concern that the public was unaware of the government’s ongoing efforts.
“The President has expressed his desire to reshuffle his cabinet, and he will do it,” Onanuga said.
He urged ministers to communicate more effectively with the public about their activities, as many have been hesitant to engage with the media.
“The feeling out there is that the government is not doing enough,” he noted.
