President Bola Tinubu made a recent decision granting Ministers of State full executive powers over agencies in their ministries.
This move marks the end of an era where junior ministers often played a secondary role instead of being empowered to act independently.
Dr. Joe Abah, former Director General of Nigeria’s Public Reform Service, praised this decision.
He shared on X that it took nearly a decade for this reform to take effect. Dr. Abah referenced the 2014 effort he led, which aimed to formalize ministers’ roles and responsibilities to improve governance and efficiency.
Previously, files related to departments and agencies overseen by Ministers of State were sent by permanent secretaries to senior ministers.
Tinubu’s new approach aims to redefine ministerial roles, maximizing the potential of Nigeria’s cabinet members. This change allows junior ministers greater autonomy.
Roles of Ministers of State and Permanent Secretaries
In Nigeria, a Minister of State is a junior minister who supports the senior (or substantive) minister within a specific ministry.
Nigeria’s federal ministries often manage complex sectors, such as health, education, or petroleum, which require additional leadership. To oversee these vast portfolios, the government appoints Ministers of State to handle specific departments within the larger ministry.
Traditionally, these ministers have had limited authority. They could not make final decisions or approvals without the senior minister’s involvement.
The Nigerian Constitution mandates at least one cabinet member from each of Nigeria’s 36 states. The president, however, determines the number of ministries.
By contrast, permanent secretaries serve as non-political civil servants. They are chief executives in government departments, holding positions for several years. Unlike ministers, they are “permanent” in their roles and report to ministers, providing advice and administrative support.
Empowering State Ministers Through Tinubu’s New Approach
A source within the Office of the Head of Service noted that the president viewed the lack of executive power for Ministers of State as a missed opportunity. This led to underutilizing experienced officials.
Inspired by Hadiza Bala Usman, one of his special advisors, Tinubu adopted a framework that grants junior ministers full supervisory powers. Now, they can directly oversee agencies and departments, handling administrative approvals without needing senior ministers’ input.
The reform impacts several key ministries, including agriculture, defence, health, and petroleum. Junior ministers are expected to bring a dynamic approach to governance.
Dr. Joe Abah’s Perspective on the Reform
Dr. Abah praised this reform, noting that the policy had remained in limbo for a decade due to the previous administration.
He explained that former President Buhari, upon taking office in 2015, viewed Ministers of State as “spare tyres.” This stance led to conflicts since all appointees were sworn in as “Ministers of the Government of Nigeria” before receiving portfolios. Questions arose about why ministers from some states held only ceremonial roles.
Abah believes this reform is a milestone that will empower Ministers of State to make decisions, improving overall governance efficiency. This direct oversight by ministers should help reduce bureaucratic delays. This change is crucial for sectors like finance, health, and education, where streamlined administration can lead to faster decision-making and better policy implementation.
Dr. Abah, a Nigerian barrister, served as the Director General of Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Reforms from 2013 to 2017. He led numerous public service reforms and is currently a Visiting Fellow of Practice at the Government Outcomes Lab at the University of Oxford.
Managing Power Dynamics: Will the Reform Succeed?
This decision to grant Ministers of State executive powers shows Tinubu’s commitment to governance reform. But, will it lead to greater conflicts as ministers carve out spheres or agencies within ministries?
Another question is whether permanent secretaries, who are vital to the running of ministries, departments, or agencies, could effectively serve in the place of Ministers of State. Does the role of Ministers of State add to unnecessary government spending?
