The Presidency has provided further clarification regarding President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive for periodic press briefings by cabinet members, emphasizing that the decision was driven by concerns over some ministers’ failure to offer adequate accountability for their actions.
According to official reports, the Federal Government has now mandated that, beginning next week, all ministers will be required to hold regular press briefings. This initiative aims to ensure that Nigerians remain informed about government policies, programs, and activities in a more transparent and structured manner.
This was revealed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a press conference in Abuja. He explained that President Tinubu had personally directed all ministers to enhance their engagement with the public and communicate government activities regularly, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
In a recent interview with Punch, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, further elaborated on the rationale behind this directive. According to Onanuga, this measure is in line with Tinubu’s long-standing demand for accountability from all government officials.
He stated: “The President has always insisted that ministers should render accounts of their activities to the public. Nigerians want to know what these ministers have been doing in office, but unfortunately, not all of them have been forthcoming with such information.
“By instructing them to step forward and speak directly to the public, the Information Minister is merely implementing a directive that President Tinubu has consistently emphasized—that government officials must keep the people informed about their activities and progress. This initiative is not linked to a performance reassessment or a cabinet reshuffle.
“It is solely about ensuring that all ministers provide periodic and detailed updates on their activities and achievements.”
A senior official close to the President, who preferred to remain anonymous, also reinforced Onanuga’s statement, adding that the directive should not be misconstrued as a reassessment of ministerial performance.
The official stated: “I do not believe this is an evaluation exercise. The ministers have previously engaged in press briefings, and this directive is simply a continuation and reinforcement of that practice. The parameters for evaluating ministerial performance are entirely different from this public engagement requirement.”
He further noted that this move aligns with President Tinubu’s broader governance strategy, which prioritizes open communication, responsiveness, and public accountability.