President Bola Tinubu is set to reshuffle his cabinet soon, basing the reorganization on an assessment of each minister’s performance.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at the state house, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special advisor on information and strategy, disclosed this.
A few months after forming his team, Tinubu made this decision to enhance the efficiency of governance.
The decision will be based on reports from the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU), led by Hadiza Bala-Usman. These reports assess the performance of various ministries and agencies, with feedback from key stakeholders.
Motivation Behind the Reshuffle
The cabinet reshuffle is expected to focus on improving governmental efficiency and delivering on the promises made to Nigerians during Tinubu’s campaign.
The reshuffle, according to the Presidency, is a routine procedure to make sure ministers are in line with the President’s vision of governance rather than necessarily a punishing measure.
Onanuga noted that while there’s no specific timeline for the reshuffle, Tinubu has emphasized that ministers must be accountable for their ministries’ performances.
“I don’t know whether he’s going to do it before October 1, but he will surely do it. So that’s what I will say. He has not given us any timeline when he wants to do it, but he will do it. He has expressed his plan that he wants to do it.”, he stated.
Some ministries, such as the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, are rumoured to be on the restructuring list.
Criteria for Reshuffle
The CDCU’s performance reports are what will decide which ministers stay or go.
Hadiza Bala-Usman has been working with her team to gather data on the functionality, challenges, and achievements of each ministry. These reports are then submitted to the Presidency, providing a detailed look into the effectiveness of each minister.
One of the key performance indicators (KPIs) being used to judge ministers is how well they’ve been able to execute key projects that align with Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
Ministers are expected to tackle pressing issues, such as economic recovery, inflation, and unemployment, with efficient policies and initiatives. Those who have failed to meet these expectations are likely to face replacement.
The administration of Tinubu is also committed to streamlining the government, which may entail the joining of some ministries to cut down on redundancies and boost productivity.
Some ministers might be given more responsibility due to this change, while others might lose their jobs completely.
Reshuffling Process
Onanuga explained that while the cabinet reshuffle is inevitable, Tinubu wants to take a careful and deliberate approach.
He is consulting with close advisers and reviewing the performance reports meticulously. This cautious process ensures that only the ministers who align with his vision of a stronger, more dynamic government will remain.
“If you are performing, nothing to fear. If you miss the objective, we’ll review it. If no performance, you leave us. No one is an island, and the buck stops on my desk,” the president told participants last November.
Implications for Governance
A cabinet change might indicate a significant shift in Tinubu’s leadership. Tinubu hopes to instil a culture of responsibility in his ministers by focusing on performance and accountability.
The President could boost public trust in his leadership by appointing new, possibly more capable ministers.
