President Bola Tinubu is reportedly planning to scrap the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation as part of a sweeping cabinet reshuffle.
Sources close to the Presidency reveal the move aims to streamline government operations and eliminate underperforming ministries.
The cabinet reshuffle would go beyond portfolio swaps. Instead, some portfolios and ministries would be split, merged or scrapped.
“I think it is overdue now. In fact, he (Tinubu) was supposed to announce the changes last week, but he was out of the country; that was why. But he wants to do it while he is around.
“It is not just about reshuffling his cabinet. He is also going to restructure some of the ministries for effectiveness and output because the current structure in some of them is not effective.
“Just to let you know, he may be scrapping the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs because he does not think there is a need for it. There are several agencies that are performing those functions already and they can do it without a ministry. So, he sees no need for it,” the Punch Newspaper quoted a source.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, established in 2019, has faced allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and inefficiency. Its current minister, Dr. Betta Edu, was suspended in January over claims of diverting funds.
Tinubu has been under pressure to sack underperforming ministers. It is understood that the cabinet reshuffle will go beyond simple portfolio swaps, with some ministries being split or merged and others scrapped. The President aims to finalize changes before departing for the United Nations General Assembly.
Another source gave more details shedding light on the timing.
“Soon, I can say it will happen soon. The arrangement is that he is supposed to do it before leaving for the UNGA this week. And I see nothing hindering that for now.
“It is confirmed. There is a particular portfolio that has to be split into two. Others will be merged, and some will be scrapped. That is what I know,” the source said.
Meanwhile, a third source confirmed that ministers are already lobbying influential backers to secure their positions.
“Yes, that is a typical thing. Some of the ministers will be calling their godfathers to influence the President. It is a normal thing. But the President will still do what is on his mind for the country.”
