Shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assigned portfolios to his cabinet members, Nigerian cyberspace became awash with mixed reactions.
While largely Tinubu’s supporters were excited and extended congratulatory messages, oppositions were very critical.
A prominent Nigerian UK-based asylum-granted journalist, Jaafar Jaafar, in a satirical Facebook post described the North West that gave the highest votes to Tinubu as having ministers of form devoid of substance.
He further criticised the allocation as preferring the south over the north, despite the large support that the president enjoyed in the north during the election. “The South that embarrassed Tinubu got the chicken breast, while the North that embraced Tinubu got the chicken head and legs,” he posted.
However, a presidential adviser on print media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, refuted the alleged lopsided appointment of juicy ministries to the south.
“What is the problem of the North? Security, education, and improving agriculture. All these important three ministries have been handed over to northerners, yet someone who is selfish would say that is not fair to the North,” Abdulaziz posted on his Facebook page.
However, amidst the reactions, WikkiTimes compiled a list of some ministers appointed into key positions that Nigerians have high expectations on them due to their antecedents and accomplishments in their areas of expertise.
First is Professor Muhammad Ali Pate. He is heading the newly coined Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. A medical doctor, he was once head of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, a former state minister of health, a professor of practise at Harvard University. He resigned as CEO of GAVI to pick up the ministerial position. He is believed to perform well due to his knowledge, experience, and exposure.
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Second, Wale Edun, who is now the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. A reputed economist who at various times worked at intercontinental banks , multinational companies such as Lehman Brothers, and World Bank. He was the co-founder and Executive Director of Stanbic IBTC. Edun was the Lagos State Commissioner of Finance between 1999 – 2007. He was earlier appointed Special Adviser to the President on Monetary Policy.
He would face Nigeria’s ailing economy.
Third, the new Minister of Education, Tahir Maman, is a professor of law. Administrator and Educationist, he is also a Senior Advocate He was erstwhile Executive Director of Nigerian Law School. Until his appointment, he was the Vice Chancellor of Abuja-based Baze University. He will face serious challenges including his former constituency, academia.
Fourth is Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. He is Lateef Fagbemi. The legal luminary is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who has decades of experiences that cut across periods of military dictatorships and democratic transitioning.
Fagbemi has pursued many cases and won many. He has been a close ally to President Tinubu. He is to head judiciary that is alleged to be suffering from endemic corruption.
Fifth is Adedayo Adelabo whose work is to head the ministry of power as the new Nigeria’s Minister of Power. A former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and a one-time candidate for gubernatorial position in Oyo State. He worked at PowerhouseCooper (PWC), Standard Chartered Bank West Africa. He was a chair and member of Many Boards. He is going to face a daunting task as this ministry demystified many giants including late Bola Ige.
David Umahi is the sixt. He would serve as Nigeria’s Minister of Works. He was the immediate past governor of Ebonyi State. David Umahi was also a deputy governor between 2011 -2015. Prior to that he was onetime CEO of Brass Engineering and Construction Ltd. He co-founded Norman Engineering and Construction Nigeria Ltd. He is going to ride where Fasho stopped.
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Seventh is Nyesom Wike. He was a controversial governor of the oil-rich Rivers State that exited office on May 29. He led the G-5 governors who rebelled against their party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is believed to have worked for the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) although he is still a member of the PDP. He is appointed as the Minister of Federal Capital Territory. He is a former state minister of education. He will face the challenge of addressing issues in the FCT.
The next is Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani. The Nigerian-British entrepreneur is a tech savvy who blends education with industry experience. He was the co-founder and CEO of Co-creation Hub, Truppr and STEM Café. He is connected to the global players in the industry in Silicon Valley. He worked with International Trade Centre, Hewlett Packard, Pera Innovation Network. He is expected to consolidate on the successes of his predecessor and expand tech opportunities in Nigeria.
