Abuja – President Bola Tinubu is prepared to dismiss ministers who fail to meet their targets, the Presidency has revealed. In an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that although the President has not yet evaluated the ministers' performances, they have been instructed to achieve the administration’s eight-point agenda. Ministers who do not perform will be removed from their positions.
Onanuga rated the administration’s performance highly as it approaches its first anniversary, giving it a score of 70%. He highlighted that when President Tinubu took office, Nigeria was using 97% of its revenue to service debt and was borrowing for recurrent expenses, including salaries. The administration has since implemented bold policies, such as removing the fuel subsidy and unifying the exchange rate, to avert economic collapse.
Tinubu’s Directive to Ministers
During the inauguration of his 48 ministers, advisers, and aides, President Tinubu urged them to prioritize the government’s immediate goal of alleviating poverty over personal interests. This directive was given at the end of a three-day retreat for top government officials at the State House in Abuja.
The President emphasized the need for officials to bond and work towards national recovery, stressing their responsibility to change the country’s narrative. He called for a unified effort to ensure economic prosperity and demanded a commitment to teamwork to achieve government goals.
Economic Challenges Persist
As Tinubu’s first anniversary approaches, public concern is growing over issues such as rising inflation, insecurity, and an unstable exchange rate. Despite inheriting a struggling economy, the President promised swift improvements. His eight-point agenda prioritizes national security and economic stability, along with sectors like agriculture, power, oil and gas, transportation, and education.
Tinubu’s manifesto aims to build a society based on shared prosperity, ensuring job creation, better living conditions, and reduced poverty. He committed to improving infrastructure, supporting young people and women, and enhancing national security.
Upon taking office, Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy, a move that faced significant backlash due to increased costs of living. Inflation has since risen, reaching 33.69% in April 2024. Unemployment has also increased, with a significant percentage of youth either unemployed or underemployed.
Ministers’ Performance Review Scheduled
In marking his first year in office, President Tinubu has instructed his ministers to present their performance reports to the public. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this during a press briefing in Abuja. The administration plans to achieve more in the next year and has warned ministers to perform or face dismissal.
Onanuga reiterated that the ministers, who have been in office for eight months, must be accountable and present their scorecards. He emphasized that while the President has not decided on a cabinet reshuffle, the ministers' performance will be crucial for their continued tenure. The government’s achievements in its first year have earned it a rating of 7/10.
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