In a major shake-up, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has dissolved the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Ministry of Sports Development. The announcement, made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, was shared earlier today on X (formerly Twitter), sparking widespread conversations about the implications of this decision.

 

According to Onanuga’s post, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the creation of a new Ministry of Regional Development, which will now oversee the country’s various regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission, and North East Development Commission. The move is reportedly aimed at centralizing efforts to address regional challenges, but the question remains whether this will effectively replace the focused mandate of the former Niger Delta Ministry.

 

Additionally, the duties of the Ministry of Sports Development will now be taken over by the National Sports Commission (NSC). While the NSC has previously played a role in Nigeria’s sports administration, this change could alter the dynamics of how sports are governed and funded in the country.  initiatives.

 

Onanuga also revealed that the FEC approved the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy. This newly combined ministry is expected to promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, while also leveraging the growing influence of the creative industries. 

 

The restructuring, which appears to be consistent with the provisions of the Oronsaye, is likely to spark diverse reactions; It raises questions about the current heads of the affected agencies, the future of the Niger Delta region, the impact on sports development, and the potential benefits of combining tourism and culture ministries. As more details emerge, Nigerians will closely watch to see how these changes affect the country.