President Bola Tinubu is expected to dismiss his cabinet this week, unless he changes his mind at the last minute.
The New Daily Prime has verified through a reliable source that the dissolution is anticipated to bring in technocrats to replace underperforming ministers and reshuffle the current cabinet members. The president, who has just returned from China, is expected to leave for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which is scheduled to be held in New York next week.
The Tribune also confirmed the report, stating that the president is aware of the criticism leveled at some of his ministers, as well as public complaints about their performance, and he is eager to address these issues to improve his government’s effectiveness. He is reportedly keeping the specifics of the dissolution and the individuals affected confidential, sharing the information only with a few trusted advisers. New Daily Prime confirmed that the list of ministers to be affected is ready.
“Upon returning from UNGA, the president will reconstitute the cabinet,” the source added. When asked if the departure of Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, was part of the anticipated housecleaning, the source clarified that it is unrelated to the cabinet shake-up.
Reports also suggest that a former minister from the Buhari administration is likely to be among the new ministerial hopefuls.
It should be noted that the president has not reshuffled his cabinet since assuming office 16 months ago, except for the sacking of Betta Edu, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, who was suspended on January 8, 2024. This decision followed allegations of the misappropriation of N585 million, with President Tinubu ordering a thorough investigation into the financial scandal.