Cabinet Shakeup Looms as Tinubu Faces Growing Pressure to Perform

President Bola Tinubu is reportedly considering a significant shakeup within his cabinet as internal and external pressure mounts over the performance of his ministers. Sources close to the Presidency have indicated that a reshuffle could be imminent, with some ministers expected to be dismissed or reassigned to new portfolios.

The President’s decision comes amid growing criticism of his administration’s effectiveness, with some members of his All Progressives Congress (APC) party and the opposition questioning the competency of the current cabinet. Concerns have been raised that several ministers have been underperforming, leading to speculation that Tinubu may be forced to act to reinvigorate his government.

Last year, President Tinubu established the Result and Delivery Unit, headed by Mrs. Hadiza Bala-Usman, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination. The unit was tasked with assessing the performance of ministers and other top government officials. Tinubu had warned that any official failing to meet expectations would face dismissal.

Recently, the President replaced the directors-general of the National Intelligence Agency and the Department of State Services, signaling his willingness to make changes at the top levels of government. Now, attention has shifted to his cabinet ministers.

An anonymous source within the Presidency revealed, “Some ministers will go. A few will swap positions, and new faces will be introduced. The focus will be on capacity, bringing in individuals who can add real value to the government.”

Another insider emphasized the need for a stronger cabinet to implement Tinubu’s policies effectively, stating, “The consensus among his close associates is that the current cabinet could be much better. For Tinubu to deliver on his promises, he needs ministers who are not only competent but also willing to work tirelessly for Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, opposition parties remain skeptical about the impact of any potential reshuffle. Yunusa Tanko, a spokesman for the Labour Party’s former presidential candidate Peter Obi, downplayed the significance of a cabinet reshuffle, arguing that it would likely be an attempt to consolidate power rather than improve governance.

Similarly, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), attributed the ministers’ poor performance to Tinubu’s leadership style. Abdullahi commented, “It’s not just about changing the cabinet. The foundation of his presidency is flawed, and without addressing that, no amount of reshuffling will make a difference.”

Civil society groups and economic experts have also weighed in on the issue. Debo Adeniran, Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, argued that less than 15 ministers have met public expectations. He called for a drastic reduction in the size of the cabinet, suggesting that Tinubu should merge ministries and focus on weeding out underperforming ministers.