Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has dismissed five ministers and appointed seven new ones in a significant cabinet reshuffle intended to enhance efficiency, his office announced on Wednesday. This change occurs amid escalating economic challenges and growing public discontent in Africa’s most populous nation.
The new appointments include ministers for humanitarian and poverty reduction, trade and investment, labor and livestock development, as well as junior ministers for foreign affairs, education, and housing. Those removed from their posts included ministers of education, tourism, women’s affairs, and youth development.
Since taking office last year, Tinubu has implemented reforms to reduce government spending and attract foreign investment. However, over a year later, Nigeria’s inflation has reached a 28-year high, and the naira is at record lows against the dollar.
Rising costs of living have sparked mass protests, with at least 20 people killed and hundreds arrested during demonstrations in August demanding better opportunities for youth. Despite being one of Africa’s largest crude oil producers, Nigeria remains one of the world’s poorest nations, plagued by chronic corruption that often leaves public officials living starkly different lifestyles than the general populace. Strikes among medical professionals protesting low wages have also become common.
Last year, Tinubu allocated millions for his presidential yacht and SUVs for himself and senior officials, drawing further criticism.
