By DAYO ADESULU
Public Perception Drives Ministerial Changes in Tinubu Administration
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has disclosed the rationale behind the recent dismissal of five ministers from the President’s cabinet. He said the reshuffle, aimed at enhancing governance and accountability, reflects a performance review influenced by public perception.
Performance Assessment Process
According to Onanuga, the decision to relieve the ministers of their duties was based on a thorough assessment process led by Hadiza Bala Usman, the President’s Social Adviser on Policy. This process involved gathering public feedback on the ministers’ effectiveness through a technology-driven scoring system that allowed citizens to evaluate their performance.
Onanuga emphasized that this appraisal was not taken lightly and has been part of President Tinubu’s strategy since the ministers were sworn in. He recalled that during the swearing-in ceremony in August 2023, the President clearly stated his authority to hire and fire ministers and warned that he would not hesitate to remove those who failed to meet expectations.
Key Insights from the Review
In a ministerial retreat in October 2023, President Tinubu reiterated his commitment to consistently review the performance of his cabinet members. Hadiza Bala Usman’s role in overseeing the performance appraisal was critical, as it provided an empirical basis for the evaluations.
Onanuga stated, “Hadiza brought technology to it, asking Nigerians to score the ministers. The results were based on empirical facts, the public perception of these ministers, and it was the people who actually did the scorecard. The President acted on those results.”
Ministers Affected by the Reshuffle
- Following the performance review, several ministers were removed from their positions, including:
– Prof. Tahir Mamman (Education)
– Uju Kennedy Ohanenye (Women Affairs)
– Mohammed Gwarzo (State for Housing)
– Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development)
– Lola Ade-John (Tourism)
– Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, has also been replaced.
Commitment to Good Governance
The cabinet reshuffle is seen as part of President Tinubu’s broader commitment to ensuring that his administration delivers on its promises to Nigerians. By holding ministers accountable and responding to public feedback, the government aims to make significant progress in key areas of governance.
Conclusion
President Tinubu’s approach to reshuffling his cabinet based on public perception and performance reviews underscores a commitment to transparency and accountability in governance. As the administration seeks to align its objectives with the expectations of the Nigerian populace, the recent changes reflect a proactive stance towards enhancing the effectiveness of the government.