October 23, 2024
Adesakin Adefemi
President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) have taken a bold step in restructuring the federal government, scrapping the Niger Delta Ministry and the Ministry of Sports Development.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, followed a FEC meeting held in Abuja the previous day. According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the dissolved ministries will be replaced by a new Ministry of Regional Development.
The Ministry of Regional Development will oversee all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission, and North East Development Commission. This move aims to streamline regional development initiatives across the country.
In another significant development, the National Sports Commission will take over the responsibilities of the former Ministry of Sports Development. This shift is expected to promote efficiency in the management of the country’s sports sector.
The FEC also approved the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy. This move creates a single entity, consolidating the operations of both ministries to enhance Nigeria’s cultural and tourism potential.
The decision to scrap the ministries is part of a broader restructuring effort by the federal government. The move is expected to improve efficiency, reduce redundancy, and enhance service delivery.
According to Onanuga, the changes will not lead to job losses, as affected personnel will be redeployed to other ministries and agencies. The federal government has assured that the restructuring will benefit the nation in the long run.
The National Sports Commission has been tasked with promoting sports development and managing sports-related activities in Nigeria. This includes overseeing national sports teams, sports infrastructure, and sports programs.
The federal government’s restructuring efforts are ongoing, with more announcements expected in the coming weeks. The changes aim to improve governance, reduce waste, and enhance service delivery to Nigerians.
