Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action in reforming his cabinet, identifying several ministries that should be abolished. The group commended Tinubu for initiating cabinet reforms but emphasized the need for bold moves to eliminate what they refer to as “dead wood” within the government, particularly highlighting the two ministers in the youth development ministry.
In their statement, HURIWA praised the president’s attempt to prune down the expanded federal cabinet, suggesting that this could lead to a reduction in the costs of governance. They argued, “A piecemeal approach to overhauling the largely dysfunctional and unwieldy Federal Executive cabinet is not what a nation that has almost economically crumbled to the ground needs.” Instead, they called for a more significant restructuring, proposing that the cabinet be reduced to just 36 ministers comprised of credible Nigerian experts, technocrats, and policymakers.
Among their recommendations, HURIWA suggested the scrapping of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, advocating that its responsibilities be reassigned to the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Wealth Creation. This consolidation aims to streamline efforts and eliminate redundancy within the government’s framework.
Furthermore, the group proposed the abolition of the Ministry of Women Affairs, recommending the establishment of a new Ministry for Children and Family Affairs in its place. This change, they argue, would better address the needs of families and children in Nigeria, a demographic that has often been overlooked in policy discussions.
Recent reports indicate that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has already taken steps towards this kind of reform by scrapping the Niger Delta Ministry and the Ministry of Sports Development. Additionally, the FEC approved the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy, indicating a trend towards consolidation in the cabinet.
HURIWA remarked, “The cabinet rejig is better late than never,” emphasizing that any changes should be executed with excellence. They stressed that for the Nigerian populace to begin feeling the impacts of governance, a commitment to good governance is essential.
The organization concluded by pointing out the urgent need for effective governance in Nigeria, which is currently overshadowed by issues such as mass hunger, unemployment, and corruption within government agencies. They asserted that the government must prioritize the public’s needs over the interests of individual ministers, whose “selfish pecuniary objectives” hinder progress and reform.