Sources from the Aso Rock Villa suggest that President Bola Tinubu is preparing for a significant cabinet reshuffle, which could see Femi Gbajabiamila, the current Chief of Staff, replaced.
According to insiders, Babatunde Fashola, the former Minister of Works and Housing, is a strong candidate to take over the influential role. Another potential replacement is Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the President’s Principal Secretary.
In addition to this high-profile change, NEWSWEEK NIGERIA has gathered that Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, is set to receive a deputy.
Taiwo Oyedele, who currently chairs the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, is tipped for the position of junior minister.
Other ministers could also face changes in their portfolios or even lose their jobs entirely. Among those reportedly at risk are Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Insiders suggest that her ministry may be scrapped altogether due to widespread allegations of corruption in the administration of intervention programs.
Additionally, Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Ishak Salako, the Minister of State for Environment and Ecological Management, Doris Anite, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, are among those said to be under review.
These developments come amid growing criticism of some cabinet members’ performance, with many accused of failing to deliver on their mandates in the past year.
President Tinubu’s administration has been under increasing pressure to address the nation’s mounting economic challenges, particularly the cost of living crisis.
There were also rumors last week that Central Bank Governor Yemi Cardoso had been asked to resign due to the naira’s declining value. However, the Presidency has since dismissed these claims.
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