Tinubu approves more powers for ministers of state

President Bola Tinubu has authorized ministers of state to take on complete supervisory roles over agencies under their respective ministries, TheCable has learned.

Previously, documents and files related to departments and agencies under these ministers’ purview were directed to senior ministers via permanent secretaries.

Under this new directive, ministers of state are now empowered to provide all necessary administrative approvals concerning the governance of their assigned agencies and departments.

A source from the office of the head of service of the federation revealed that “the president was not pleased with the prevailing governing framework in which ministers of state were just ministers in name.”

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Tinubu reportedly expressed that the current structure led to an “underutilisation of the expertise and capabilities” of many ministers of state.

“The president believes ministers of state should have the right to make decisions and direct action within their areas of responsibility,” the official noted.

The decision was initially proposed by Hadiza Bala Usman, special adviser on policy coordination and head of the central delivery coordination unit, and it quickly received the president’s support.

With this expanded authority, the administration hopes to “unleash” the full potential of all cabinet members, the source added.

Tinubu’s cabinet comprises 48 ministers, with 16 designated as junior ministers.

Ministries with ministers of state include agriculture and food security, defence, education, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), foreign affairs, health, petroleum (oil and gas), humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction, and women’s affairs. Other affected ministries are works, regional development, labour and employment, finance, trade and investment, and housing and urban development.

(THE CABLE)