From 28 substantive ministers (and ministries) in the last administration, Nigeria now has additional six, stretching the number to 34 in the Bola Tinubu administration.
As announced on Wednesday, the 45 ministers-designate to be sworn-in on Monday are made up of 32 ministers and 13 ministers of state. It is likely that President Tinubu will be the 33rd substantive minister, supervising the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, where there are two minsters of state – Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo (Gas Resources), and Heineken Lokpobiri (Petroleum Resources).
Three other ministerial nominees – former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rurai, Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi (Taraba) and Mrs Stella Okotete (Delta) – were not cleared by the Senate during the screening on the ground of security clearance. Although El-Rufai has reportedly opted out, a portfolio (Environment and Ecological Management) has already been announced for Kaduna State ministerial nominee. Dr. Ishaq Salako is the Minister of State-designate for Environment and Ecology.
Among the substantive ministers, the South West has seven (excluding the President), while the North East has six. Others are North Central, North West and South South (five each), while South East has four. (The figure for North West has already factored Kaduna State nominee into it).
The North West has the highest number of Ministers of State (5) to bring its ministerial total to 10. North Central, South South and South West each has two ministers of state, while only the North East and South East produced one minister of state each.
Although the “Renewed Hope 2023” manifesto of Candidate Tinubu promised at least 35 percent government positions for women, only 10 women were included in the the list of 48 ministerial nominees (20.83 per cent) sent to the Senate by the President. One of the nominees (Okotete) awaits security and Senate clearance.
Out of the nine ministers-designate, six are substantive ministers. They are: Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite (Industry, Trade and Investment), Chief Uche Nnaji (Innovation, Science and Technology), Dr. Betta Edu (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation), Ms. Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Barrister Hanatu Musawa (Art, Culture and the Creative Environment) and Hon. Uju Ohaneye (Women Affairs).
The ministers of state are: Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim (Police Affairs), Hon. Nkiruka Onyechiocha (Labour and Employment) and Dr. Mariya Mahmood-Bunkure (Federal Capital Territory).
For the first time in the Fourth Republic, which commenced in 1999, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory is from the south – former Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
In the First Republic (1960 – 1966), the Minister of Lagos Affairs was Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua, whose son, Alhaji Umar Musa Yar-Adua would become Nigeria’s president in 2007. The younger Yar’Adua died in office on 5th May 2010 following a protracted illness.
The older Yar’Adua’s son – Shehu Musa Yar’Adua – was Nigeria’s No. 2 citizen in the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo (1976 – 1979). His attempt to become Nigeria’s president during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (1985 – 1993) failed as he was among politicians disqualified by the administration.
A Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was created out of the Ministry of Transportation, while the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was scrapped.
Among the Ministries either redesigned or with new responsibilities are: Aviation and Aerospace Development (Barrister Festus Keyamo); Art, Culture and the Creative Environment (Musawa), Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy (Bosun Tijani), Innovation, Science and Technology (Nnaji) and Environment and Ecological Development.
Also for the first time in the Fourth Republic, an indigene of Abuja, where the Federal Capital Territory is located, will be a minister. Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo will be substantive minister for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, succeeding the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
