President Bola Tinubu has approved a significant policy change aimed at enhancing the efficiency and decision-making capabilities of the Nigerian government by granting ministers of state [/b]full authority over the agencies and departments under their supervision. This decision marks a shift in the power dynamics of Nigeria’s executive branch and is expected to have far-reaching effects on governance and administration across various sectors.
Previously, the decision-making process for these ministries involved permanent secretaries who would [b]forward files concerning these agencies to senior ministers[/b] for final approval. This structure greatly limited the powers of the ministers of state, effectively relegating their roles to more ceremonial positions while senior ministers retained the final say. As a result, many ministers of state were often unable to fully exercise their authority or contribute meaningfully to the governance process, leading to inefficiencies and underutilization of their expertise.[/b]
According to an anonymous source from the office of the head of service of the federation, who spoke with The Cable, President Tinubu expressed dissatisfaction with the previous system, which he felt constrained the ministers of state and hindered the potential for effective governance. The source revealed that the president was particularly unhappy with the prevailing framework, describing it as one in which ministers of state were essentially “just ministers in name.” This dissatisfaction has led to the new directive, which grants ministers of state the power to make critical decisions without having to seek approval from senior ministers or permanent secretaries.[/b]
The new directive allows ministers of state [/b]to take full control of administrative approvals within their respective departments, empowering them to make independent decisions and direct actions within the scope of their responsibilities. This move is seen as a way to streamline decision-making, increase the efficiency of governance, and ultimately harness the full potential of all cabinet members. By allowing ministers of state to act with greater autonomy, President Tinubu is aiming to create a more dynamic and responsive government capable of addressing the country’s challenges more effectively.[/b]
With the introduction of this new framework, the Tinubu administration hopes to achieve better coordination and faster implementation of policies across various ministries. The reform is expected to positively impact key areas such as agriculture and food security, defense, education, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), foreign affairs, health, petroleum (oil and gas), humanitarian and poverty reduction, and women’s affairs, among others. Ministries such as works, regional development, labor and employment, finance, trade and investment, and housing and urban development will also be affected by the change, as these are some of the key sectors where ministers of state will now have expanded powers to drive change and make decisions that affect the everyday lives of citizens.[/b]
The reshaping of ministerial responsibilities under Tinubu’s leadership is a clear indication of his desire to build a more effective, empowered, and responsive government, one that taps into the skills and expertise of all its members, regardless of their rank or title. By giving ministers of state the authority they were previously denied, the administration is positioning itself to tackle pressing issues with greater agility and determination.[/b]