President Bola Tinubu reshuffles cabinet amid economic crisis

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October 26, 2024 | 8:00 PM ET |

Abuja: In a cabinet change, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu fired five ministers and named seven new ones, his office announced late Wednesday.

New ministers for trade and investment, labor, livestock development, humanitarian affairs, and poverty alleviation are among the new hires.

In an effort to increase the effectiveness of his administration, Tinubu has also moved ten additional ministers to different ministries.

Changes were made in the midst of protests against the economic problems that were put down with tear gas, as well as growing economic hardship and dissatisfaction with the government.

The Sports Ministry was shut down, the Ministry of Niger Delta Development was renamed the Ministry of Regional Development, and the two ministries of tourism and arts and culture were combined into one as part of the reorganization.

Tinubu’s drive for reform since taking office in May 2023 had led to hope that his government would be able to confront mounting economic problems in Africa’s most populous country.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s currency is at record lows against the dollar. All of which has sparked a cost-of-living crisis.

Despite being one of the top crude oil producers in Africa, Nigeria is one of the world’s poorest countries.

In November of last year, Tinubu signed into law the budget that allocates $38 million for the presidential air fleet and other renovations, including spending for his presidential yacht and sport utility vehicles for his wife and top government officials.