President Tinubu Grants Full Powers To Ministers Of State For Agency Oversight

President Bola Tinubu has approved a significant shift in the authority of Nigeria’s ministers of state, now empowering them with full oversight over the agencies within their jurisdiction.

Previously, these ministers of state had limited authority, with files and key decisions routed through their permanent secretaries to senior ministers.

Under this new directive, ministers of state will be able to provide all necessary administrative approvals for agencies and departments, streamlining decision-making processes and giving them direct governance control.

Read Also: Tinubu’s Aide Reiterates Administration Commitment To Boosting Small Businesses

An official in the office of the head of service revealed that Tinubu was dissatisfied with the existing structure, where ministers of state held titles without substantive powers. This setup, he reportedly said, left their expertise and potential “underutilized.”

The recommendation to enhance the role of ministers of state originated with Hadiza Bala Usman, Tinubu’s special adviser on policy coordination, and received immediate endorsement from the president. The administration believes that this approach will unlock the full capabilities of ministers and improve governance outcomes.

With Tinubu’s cabinet comprising 48 ministers, including 16 junior ones, this move is expected to optimize the roles of all members, ensuring no minister’s expertise goes to waste.