By Cecilia Ogezi
President Bola Tinubu has implemented a major cabinet reshuffle, which includes the merging of key ministries. This move was announced following Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, according to a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.
In the shakeup, the President dissolved the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Ministry of Sports Development. The functions of the former will now fall under a newly established Ministry of Regional Development, which will oversee all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission, and North East Development Commission.
Additionally, the role of the Ministry of Sports Development will be absorbed by the National Sports Commission.
President Tinubu also merged the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy. As part of the changes, he reassigned 10 ministers to new portfolios, sacked five ministers, and appointed seven new ministers, whose appointments will be subject to Senate confirmation.
Among the new appointments, Shehu Dikko has been named Chairman of the National Sports Commission, while Sunday Akin Dare will serve as Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation, working from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
