Breaking: Tinubu Expands Authority of Ministers of State

Previously, permanent secretaries would route departmental and agency files under the supervision of ministers of state to senior ministers for final approval, limiting the decision-making power of these junior ministers and making their roles largely symbolic.

A source from the office of the head of service of the federation, as reported by The Cable, revealed that President Tinubu was dissatisfied with this structure. He felt it led to the “underutilisation of the expertise and capabilities” of the ministers of state.

“The president was not pleased with the existing framework where ministers of state were ministers in name only,” the source said.

The new directive empowers ministers of state to grant administrative approvals and take action within their respective areas of responsibility, aiming to enhance their effectiveness and streamline governance.

Tinubu’s cabinet consists of 48 ministers, with 16 holding junior roles. This policy change affects ministries such as agriculture and food security, defence, education, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), foreign affairs, health, petroleum, humanitarian affairs, poverty reduction, women’s affairs, works, regional development, labour and employment, finance, trade and investment, and housing and urban development.