50 Ministers Not Too Much For Tinubu – Adebayo Shittu

A former Communications Minister in the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Adebayo Shittu, has defended the size of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, stating it is appropriate given Nigeria’s large population.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Shittu argued that a country with over 200 million people requires a well-staffed government to meet citizens’ needs effectively.

Shittu emphasized that the growing complexity of governance necessitates more ministries to address emerging challenges.

“As governance expands, new ministries are needed to manage these areas efficiently,” he explained, adding that cutting costs should not compromise government efficiency.

“Saving a kobo at the expense of losing naira doesn’t make sense,” he remarked.

According to Shittu, a cabinet of about 50 ministers is justified for a nation as large and complex as Nigeria.

He cited expansive ministries like agriculture and education, each overseeing dozens of agencies, as examples.

“If a single minister is tasked with overseeing all these agencies, it becomes overwhelming,” Shittu noted.

He suggested creating separate ministries, such as primary and higher education, to enhance oversight and management.

Drawing comparisons with other countries, Shittu argued that Nigeria’s cabinet size should reflect the country’s extensive responsibilities, saying, “For a large nation like Nigeria, with the significant duties each ministry handles, 50 ministers is not excessive.”