President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that he has no intention of reducing the size of his record-breaking cabinet, despite growing public criticism.
Tinubu’s cabinet, which comprises about 50 ministers, is the largest in Nigeria’s history. This size has attracted backlash from citizens and political analysts, who question the necessity and effectiveness of such a bloated team.
Critics have described the large cabinet as “insensitive,” especially in light of Nigeria’s economic challenges. Many argue that the administration’s performance so far does not justify the expanded ministerial team.
During a live media chat on Monday, Tinubu addressed these criticisms, defending the composition of his team.
“I’m not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the President said firmly.
He explained that his decision to appoint a large number of ministers was deliberate and aimed at ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in governance.
“You don’t give somebody an assignment they cannot fulfil,” Tinubu stated. “Job description must be efficient and effective. Nigeria is a large country.”
The President emphasised that the ministers were appointed with clear objectives in mind. He described the cabinet as a critical part of his administration’s strategy to tackle the nation’s pressing challenges.
Tinubu argued that the size of the cabinet was necessary to address the complexities of governing a diverse and populous country like Nigeria.
“Let’s pay attention to efficiency,” he said. “Efficiency and effectiveness are the hallmark of the philosophy behind that cabinet. I’m not ready to shrink a little bit of it.”
Responding to questions about the performance of his ministers, Tinubu expressed confidence in their capabilities.
“All the ministers were appointed for a purpose,” he said. “Show me one [minister] who is not performing, and I will argue with you.”
The President’s comments appear to challenge his critics to provide evidence of non-performance among his ministers.
The size of Tinubu’s cabinet has been a hot topic since his administration announced the appointments earlier this year.
Many Nigerians have criticised the decision, pointing out that a leaner cabinet would reduce government spending, particularly during a period of economic hardship.
“Why does Nigeria need 50 ministers when other countries of similar size do well with far fewer?” a political analyst, Dr. Oladipo Ogunleye, asked in a recent interview.
Critics also argue that some ministerial portfolios appear redundant or unnecessary. Others have raised concerns about the cost of maintaining such a large team, especially with Nigeria facing rising debt levels and economic instability.
Tinubu’s cabinet stands out not only for its size but also for its composition. The administration introduced new ministerial roles and expanded existing ones to address specific sectors.
This is a departure from the norm, as previous administrations kept their ministerial teams significantly smaller. For example, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s first-term cabinet had 36 ministers, reflecting one minister per state as required by the Nigerian Constitution.
Supporters of Tinubu argue that the expanded cabinet is justified given Nigeria’s complex governance challenges. They also highlight the need for innovative leadership in areas like digital economy, climate change, and social welfare.
However, critics believe that the large cabinet has done little to improve governance or economic stability.
Nigerians have expressed mixed feelings about Tinubu’s stance on the cabinet size. While some agree with his focus on efficiency, others believe the administration is not doing enough to address pressing national issues.
Tinubu’s response during the media chat has added fuel to the debate, with many Nigerians taking to social media to share their opinions.
By challenging critics to identify underperforming ministers, Tinubu has put the spotlight on the performance of his cabinet members.
Observers believe this could lead to increased scrutiny of the ministers in the coming months. Some analysts suggest that the President may eventually be forced to make changes if public dissatisfaction continues to grow.
As the Tinubu administration approaches its first year in office, the performance of the cabinet will remain a key area of focus.
The President’s insistence on retaining the large cabinet suggests he is confident in his team’s ability to deliver. However, the administration will need to address the public perception that the cabinet is more of a burden than a solution.
