Nigeria’s newly inaugurated leader, Bola Tinubu, presided over a swearing-in ceremony for his cabinet of 45 ministers on Monday. In addressing the ministers, he emphasized the need to instill confidence among the populace as the country grapples with significant economic and security challenges.
“While the challenges we confront are substantial, they also present us with the opportunity to implement long-awaited reforms,” stated the president. Tinubu, elected in a February poll that is still subject to court disputes, assumed office at the end of May.
This administration’s ministerial lineup is larger than that of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, whose first-term cabinet comprised 36 ministers. As per the Nigerian Constitution, the president is required to have a representative from each of the country’s 36 states in the cabinet.
Since taking office, Bola Tinubu has initiated a series of reforms aimed at rejuvenating the economy and fostering investment. However, these measures have led to a sudden spike in the cost of living, resulting in public discontent.
Upon his inauguration on May 29, the president abolished fuel subsidies, resulting in a fourfold increase in gasoline prices and a sharp surge in food costs.
Nigeria has been grappling with a severe economic crisis since 2016, which was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis. The nation’s currency is devalued, foreign debt is substantial, and unemployment rates are high.
The most populous African country is also contending with armed groups engaging in kidnapping, particularly in the northwest and central regions. Additionally, efforts are underway to quell a 14-year-long Islamist insurgency in the northeast and address separatist tensions in the southeast.
Female representation remains low in the cabinet, with fewer than 20% of members being women, reflecting a longstanding trend in Nigerian governance. In addition to private sector technocrats, the cabinet includes several party loyalists, including former governors who aided in rallying support for President Tinubu.
Key positions include Wale Edun as Finance Minister, responsible for coordinating the economy. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, a wealthy businessman and former governor, was appointed Defense Minister, and Olubunmi Ojo, a former parliamentarian, received the Interior portfolio. Yusuf Tuggar, previously Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, has become the Foreign Minister.
Health and Social Care Minister is Ali Pate, a former World Bank director who declined the leadership of the global vaccine alliance Gavi. President Tinubu will oversee the oil ministry, as did his predecessor, with assistance from Secretary of State Heineken Lokpobiri, the former Minister of Agriculture.
In Africa, Nigeria stands as one of the continent’s foremost hydrocarbon-producing nations.
