There are strong indications that President Bola Tinubu may abolish the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation as part of a major cabinet reshuffle.
According to sources within the presidency, this exercise could involve merging or splitting various portfolios and potentially dismissing some ministers.
Facing increasing pressure from both internal and external factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Tinubu is under scrutiny regarding his cabinet’s performance.
Despite warning about underperformance nearly 10 months ago, there have been minimal changes to the cabinet, except for the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Last November, after a three-day retreat with cabinet members and presidential aides, Tinubu announced the creation of a Central Delivery Coordination Unit, led by Special Adviser Hadiza Bala-Usman.
This unit is responsible for evaluating the performance of ministers and senior officials. During the retreat, Tinubu stressed that job security in his administration would be performance-based.
Insider sources suggest that upcoming changes will go beyond simple portfolio reshuffles. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, which has been without a permanent head since Edu’s suspension, is expected to be scrapped.
According to one source, Tinubu believes the functions of the ministry can be handled by other existing agencies.
The reshuffle is expected to take place soon, possibly before Tinubu’s departure to New York for the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
It is reported that some portfolios may be split, others merged, and some ministries abolished altogether.
Meanwhile, some ministers are reportedly lobbying influential figures to maintain their positions, though sources indicate that Tinubu will ultimately make decisions based on what he believes is best for the country.