President Bola Tinubu has stated he will not reduce the size of his cabinet, emphasizing the importance of each minister in achieving his administration’s goals.
Tinubu made the remarks during his first presidential media chat on Monday, addressing concerns about his record-breaking cabinet size.
In August 2023, Tinubu appointed 45 ministers, the largest cabinet since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999.
This number grew to 48 by October 2023 after three additional ministers were sworn in. A year later, Tinubu reshuffled his cabinet, replacing five ministers, appointing seven new ones, and reassigning 10 portfolios.
During the media chat, Tinubu defended his decision, stating that a country as large and complex as Nigeria requires a robust and efficient team to meet its needs.
“I’m not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet. I saw the need before I put them together,” he said. He stressed that each minister has a clear and vital role, adding, “Efficiency and effectiveness are the hallmarks of the philosophy behind that cabinet.”
Tinubu challenged critics to identify any cabinet member who was not adding value, saying, “Show me one.”