By Ayooluwa Ayobami
President Bola Tinubu has reshuffled his cabinet, relieving several ministers of their duties based on a performance review driven by public view.
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, stated that this decision stemmed from a thorough assessment led by Hadiza Bala Usman, the President’s Social Adviser on Policy.
In an interview with AriseTV, Onanuga emphasized that the review was a significant undertaking and part of the President’s plan since the ministers were sworn in last year. He noted that during the swearing-in ceremony in August 2023, President Tinubu clearly asserted his authority to hire and fire ministers, cautioning that he would not hesitate to act against those who fell short of expectations.
The President reiterated this commitment during a ministerial retreat in October 2023, highlighting the importance of ongoing evaluations of his cabinet’s performance.
Hadiza Bala Usman was tasked with overseeing the performance appraisal, which included collecting public feedback on the ministers. A technology-driven approach was utilized, enabling Nigerians to rate the ministers on their effectiveness.
“Hadiza integrated technology into the process, inviting the public to score the ministers,” Onanuga explained. “The results were based on empirical evidence and public perception, and the President acted on this feedback.”
As a result of the review, several ministers were removed from their positions, including Prof. Tahir Mamman (Education), Uju Kennedy Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Mohammed Gwarzo (State for Housing), Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), and the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, who has also been replaced.
This cabinet reshuffle underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to fulfilling his administration’s promises to the Nigerian people and advancing governance in crucial areas.
