Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has revealed that the recent dismissal of several ministers was informed by feedback from Nigerians and empirical evaluations.
Onanuga explained that the decision followed a performance appraisal conducted by Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, who gathered public sentiment regarding the ministers’ effectiveness.
On Wednesday, October 24, President Tinubu relieved five ministers of their duties, including Barrister Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Prof. Tahir Mamman (Education), Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo (Housing and Urban Development), and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Youth Development). This shake-up culminated weeks of speculation about a cabinet reshuffle upon the president’s return from France.
In an interview with ARISE TV, Onanuga emphasized that Tinubu’s actions were rooted in public perception. He noted that the president had warned ministers about potential dismissals if they failed to perform.
“When the ministers were sworn in, the President told them he would not hesitate to remove those who could not deliver,” he stated.
Onanuga further defended the appointment of seven new ministers, arguing that the Nigerian government needs additional hands to address pressing national issues.
He remarked, “The perception outside is that the government is not performing. The government believes it is, but the ministers were not effectively communicating this.”
He reiterated that the dismissals were not solely a reflection of the ministers’ performance according to the president’s expectations but rather the public’s expectations.
