As President Bola Tinubu’s administration marks its first year in office, the performance of his ministers has been under intense scrutiny.
While Tinubu promised a cabinet filled with technocrats to steer Nigeria towards economic revitalisation, job creation, security, and infrastructural development, the outcome has been mixed, with notable gaps between promises and results.
A cornerstone of Tinubu’s government has been the economic reform agenda, primarily driven by Finance Minister Wale Edun. While reforms like the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of exchange rates are bold moves, their consequences have stirred inflation and heightened public dissatisfaction. The naira continues to depreciate despite efforts, signalling deep structural issues in Nigeria’s production capacity. Job creation remains elusive, and unemployment, particularly among youth, has worsened. While commendable attempts have been made, Edun’s reforms feel like attempts to resuscitate a dead horse, lacking tangible results.
In the infrastructure sector, Dave Umahi, Minister of Works, has made strides by continuing key projects from previous administrations. However, the pace has been slower than expected due to bureaucratic delays, funding issues, and persistent insecurity. Despite awarding 51 contracts worth N6.27 trillion for various infrastructure projects, progress has lagged behind the administration’s ambitious targets. Large-scale initiatives like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Badagry-Sokoto Superhighway remain largely on paper.
Security, a top priority for Nigerians, remains a significant failure for the administration. Under the Minister of Defence, efforts to combat banditry and insurgency have been insufficient. The North-East and North-West remain unsafe, with bandits preventing farmers from accessing their lands. While some military operations have succeeded, the strategy has been mostly reactive, with little sign of long-term solutions. The people continue to feel unsafe, and a comprehensive overhaul of the security strategy is necessary. The Minister of Defence has failed in his mandate.
The health and education sectors have not received the attention they deserve. Health Minister Ali Pate has struggled to address the mass exodus of healthcare professionals and the underfunding of the sector. The healthcare system remains overburdened and no significant improvements have been made despite pressing needs.
In education, Minister Tahir Mamman’s policies, such as regulating the university admissions age, have been widely criticised as distractions from the real issues. Rather than addressing poor funding, strikes, and deteriorating infrastructure, Mamman has focused on tertiary admissions criteria. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar aptly called this policy an “absurdity” and a “disincentive to scholarship”. The lack of meaningful progress in education threatens Nigeria’s future as an educated and skilled populace is essential for sustained growth.
Despite lofty promises to improve the power supply, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has failed to make a meaningful impact. Nigeria remains heavily reliant on imported fuel, and billions of dollars in investments have resulted in just 5,000 megawatts of electricity, far below the country’s needs. Electricity remains unreliable, and the tariff hikes introduced under the guise of improving supply have left citizens paying more for the same erratic service. Adelabu’s performance in the sector reflects confusion and a lack of clear direction.
The rising cost of food and insecurity in agricultural regions threaten Nigeria’s food security. Farmers are unable to access their farms due to banditry and flooding, while government initiatives to boost agriculture have failed to provide immediate relief. Although some progress has been made in infrastructure investments and climate-smart agriculture, high inflation and security issues have stifled the administration’s efforts.
The sports sector, led by Minister John Enoh, has also been a disappointment. The corruption and mismanagement that have plagued Nigerian sports continue unchecked. Nigeria’s poor performance at the Paris Olympics, despite spending N12 billion, exposed Enoh’s lack of understanding of sports administration. Similarly, the petroleum sector, under Tinubu’s oversight, has seen no significant improvement. Oil theft, low production, and ageing infrastructure continue to hobble Nigeria’s petroleum industry, leading to missed revenue opportunities and continued dependency on imported fuel.
President Tinubu’s cabinet despite being one of the largest cabinets in Nigeria’s history has shown some promise but has largely failed to deliver the sweeping changes Nigeria desperately needs. Over one year in, the administration has much to do to meet its ambitious targets and to restore public confidence. With persistent challenges in the economy, infrastructure, security, and social services, Tinubu’s cabinet must shift from promises to tangible results if they are to leave a lasting impact on Nigeria’s future. The public’s patience is running thin, and the clock is ticking.