President Bola Tinubu has firmly rejected calls to downsize his cabinet, standing by his decision to appoint 48 ministers.
During a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, Tinubu emphasized that efficiency, rather than size, was the guiding principle behind his cabinet appointments.
“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the president asserted, addressing growing criticism regarding the number of ministers in his administration.
He reiterated that efficiency was at the core of his decisions and that each ministerial position was vital to driving his vision for the country.
Tinubu’s cabinet has been a point of contention since he assumed office in May 2023.
Despite reshuffling in October 2024, which saw 10 ministers reassigned and five dismissed, critics argue that the size of the cabinet remains overly large, especially in the face of Nigeria’s struggling economy and high inflation.
The creation of the Ministry of Livestock has also drawn sharp criticism, with many questioning its relevance amid Nigeria’s pressing economic challenges.
However, Tinubu remained steadfast, arguing that reforms across all sectors were necessary for the country’s recovery.
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In addition to defending his cabinet’s size, the president reiterated his commitment to the controversial removal of the petrol subsidy.
“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” Tinubu said, reinforcing his stance on the issue, which continues to stir debate across the nation.
