President Bola Tinubu has submitted a fresh list of 19 ministerial nominees to the Nigerian Senate for confirmation, bringing the total number of nominees to an unprecedented 47. This comes amid calls for a reduction in the cost of governance and concerns over the country’s revenue and debt profile.
The cabinet, which was initially expected to have 42 members to represent each state, now includes an additional six ministers representing each of the six geopolitical zones, further increasing the size of the cabinet.
Critics have expressed concerns over the bloated cabinet, especially in light of the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians due to policies like the removal of petrol subsidy. Calls for a reduction in the cost of governance have been met with skepticism as President Tinubu’s cabinet grows larger.
Despite the criticisms, President Tinubu’s policies have received twice as many approvals from respondents compared to the previous administration, according to the Stears Approval Rating (SAR). The SAR, conducted by the intelligence firm Stears, sampled 519 respondents across Lagos’ 20 local government areas, providing insights into public sentiment.
Among the new ministerial nominees is Bosun Tijani, the young founder of Nigeria’s largest tech hub, Co-Creation Hub, adding excitement to the latest list. However, questions remain about the need for such a large cabinet and whether it aligns with the urgent calls for cost reduction and efficient governance.
Additionally, the issue of social media regulation has been brought to the fore, with Dele Alake, the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategies, advocating for stronger regulation. While acknowledging the advantages of social media, Alake emphasized the need to curb its downside, which can be detrimental to a decent society like Nigeria.
The screening of ministerial nominees is ongoing in the Senate, and despite the concerns over the size of the cabinet and social media regulation, the political landscape in Nigeria is evolving as President Tinubu’s policies and appointments come under scrutiny. The nation awaits further developments and decisions that will shape its future direction.
