After months of anticipation surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s potential cabinet reshuffle to mark his first year in office, the president is poised to reward high-performing ministers while removing those who have struggled under the demands of their roles.
The tension surrounding this reshuffle heightened in the lead-up to Tinubu’s anniversary, especially after Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, revealed on Wednesday that the president had expressed a desire to remove underperforming ministers.
According to insiders at the Central Delivery and Coordination Unit (CDCU), which monitors the cabinet’s performance, the president may also reassign some ministers to different departments in hopes they will excel in new areas.
Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination and head of the CDCU, had earlier notified ministers on May 25 of the president’s intent to dismiss those failing to align with his Renewed Hope agenda.
While the possibility of dismissals had been a source of anxiety, particularly for underperforming ministers, things remained quiet until Wednesday’s reminder that the axe would soon fall on those classified as “failed ministers” by the CDCU.
Sources indicate that the list of those to be dismissed or reassigned was finalized weeks before Tinubu’s first anniversary, but for undisclosed reasons, the president delayed action.
The CDCU’s review focused on “granular, tangible outcomes that affect citizens’ lives,” measuring time-sensitive and action-specific performance since each minister’s appointment.
Ministers reportedly receiving positive reviews and likely to retain their posts include Dave Umahi (Works), Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (Interior), Nyesom Wike (FCT), Festus Keyamo (Aviation), Lateef Fagbemi (Justice), Mohammed Idris (Information), Bosun Tijani (Digital Economy), Dele Alake (Solid Minerals), Wale Edun (Finance), John Owan Enoh (Sports), and Doris Uzoka-Anite (Trade & Investment).
“Barring any last-minute changes, these ministers are expected to stay,” a source revealed, adding that some underperforming ministers may be reassigned, while others will face outright dismissal.
The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has reportedly been marked for permanent removal, with no plans for her return during the reshuffle.
While some ministers, including Uju Kennedy (Women Affairs), Tahir Mamman (Education), and Yusuf Tuggar (Foreign Affairs), may receive a second chance based on recommendations to avoid significant disruptions in the cabinet, others have underwhelmed.
Saidu Alkali (Transport), Zephaniah Jisalpo (Special Duties), and Abubakar Kyari (Agriculture) are among the ministers flagged for their poor performance.
However, certain ministers, such as Muhammad Badaru (Defence), Adegboyega Oyetola (Transportation), Atiku Bagudu (Budget), Bello Matawalle (State Defence), and Ibrahim Gaidam (Police Affairs), remain protected due to their political alliances and are considered “untouchable,” regardless of performance.
Additionally, ministers like Adebayo Adelabu (Power), Joseph Utsev (Water Resources), and Muhammad Ali Pate (Health), who have influential backers, are expected to either remain in place or be reassigned to new ministries.
It is expected that the president will announce the reshuffle on Independence Day, alongside a policy speech outlining new directives under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He is anticipated to task ministers with implementing fresh policies in key sectors.
Meanwhile, ministerial aides are already seeking exit strategies, with some securing permanent positions within the civil service to ensure job stability after their respective ministers’ departure.
