One Year Later: What Tinubu’s Cabinet Has Gotten Right—and Wrong

One Year Later: What Tinubu’s Cabinet Has Gotten Right—and Wrong

By the Editorial Board, DailyWire.com.ng

When President Bola Tinubu unveiled his ministerial list in 2023, Nigerians watched closely. Would this be a cabinet of reformers? Technocrats? Or recycled politicians?

A year later, with the nation grappling with economic strain, rising insecurity, and a restless population, it’s time to take stock of the team Tinubu entrusted with Nigeria’s future. Have they delivered? Or are they simply warming seats?

What Has Worked

1. The Presidential Fiscal and Tax Policy Reform Committee
Led by Taiwo Oyedele, this committee has shown flashes of strategic thinking. It has initiated plans to harmonize taxes and reduce the burden on businesses. Though implementation is slow, the intent is clear: reduce chaos, increase compliance, and simplify the system. If backed with political will, this could be one of the administration’s most impactful reforms.

2. Digital Economy and Youth Engagement
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, stands out as one of the few technocrats bringing fresh ideas to government. His talent pipeline initiative and startup engagement show promise. In a system dominated by bureaucratic red tape, he is pushing innovation. But the question remains: can he scale his vision in an old system?

3. Infrastructure Commitments
The Ministry of Works under David Umahi has been active on paper and site. From the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway to updates on federal roads, there’s at least movement. But concerns remain about transparency, prioritization, and potential white-elephant projects.


❌ What Has Failed — or Faded

1. The Ministry of Petroleum (President Tinubu himself as Minister)
Nigeria still lacks a clear and coherent direction in the oil sector. With the President also serving as the Minister of Petroleum, accountability is diffuse. The NNPCL remains a mystery to the public. Fuel prices are erratic, the Dangote Refinery is still dancing with delays, and subsidy “ghosts” haven’t disappeared.

2. Humanitarian Affairs and Social Protection
The suspension of Betta Edu amid corruption allegations shook public confidence in the administration’s flagship palliative and social investment programs. What was meant to be a lifeline for the poor has become a scandal-plagued domain.

3. Internal Security and Defence
Despite reshuffling the leadership of the armed forces, insecurity still looms across the country. Bandits hold territories, kidnappers operate with impunity, and the government’s communication remains tone-deaf. Nigerians are tired of promises—they want results.

4. Education and Health Ministries
Frankly, there’s little to write home about. ASUU is still agitating. Nigerian students are facing unending uncertainty. Health care remains underfunded and overstretched. These ministries are largely absent from national conversations—and that silence is dangerous.


⚖️ The Verdict: Mixed and Worrying

Tinubu’s cabinet is a mix of energy and exhaustion. Some ministers have shown a desire to work, to reform, and to innovate. But many others are simply passengers in a turbulent government vehicle, lacking initiative or public engagement.

This government needs a mid-term reset—a cabinet reshuffle focused on competence, accountability, and deliverables. Time is not on Tinubu’s side. Every month lost to weak leadership is another mile added to Nigeria’s road to recovery.


What do you think? Who is the best-performing minister in Tinubu’s cabinet—and who should be sacked? Share your views at editor@dailywire.com.ng

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