As President Bola Tinubu approaches his one-year mark in office, scrutiny mounts over the performance of his cabinet ministers, with several key figures notably absent from the public eye since their appointment in August 2023.
Here is the list of ministers who are seen to have been quiet since their appointment, DAILY POST reports.
Sa’idu Akali (Transportation)
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The Minister of Transportation, Akali has been remarkably quiet when compared to his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, the former Governor of Rivers State.
Mr Akali was initially penned down for the Ministry of Interior before the last-minute manoeuvre that landed him at the Ministry of Transportation.
Despite the unbundling of the ministry with the separation of Marine and Blue Economy, the Minister still holds a very critical sector of the economy, particularly the railway transportation sector.
While there are reports of ongoing railway projects, however, the inability of the minister to communicate with Nigerians is fueling the speculation that most of the ongoing railway projects embarked upon by the last administration have been abandoned.
For many Nigerians, the development of the country’s railway system is important, but since the departure of Amaechi, many Nigerians have been in the dark as to what is happening in the sector.
Lola Ade-John (Tourism)
When Ade-John appeared before the Senate in July, 2023, most of the senators asked questions that relate to the banking and financial sector because of her background as an IT specialist.
When the president announced the allocation of portfolios, it was shocking that the president posted her to the Ministry of Tourism.
One logical explanation comes to mind- the president sees financing as the major impediment to some of the major sectors, hence the choice of financial experts to critical sectors. Another example is the posting of Bayo Adelabu to the Ministry of Power.
Also, the president in his manifesto promised the establishment of a media city to rival the Dubai media city. However, it has been all quiet from the minister except for a few visits here and there.
Hannatu Musawa (Minister of Culture)
The Minister of Culture is also struggling to make her mark as the government heads into one year in office.
Except for the recent retreat organised by his ministry, there appears to be no clear-cut agenda of her ministry as it relates to Culture and Tourism in Nigeria.
Ibrahim Gaidam/Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim (Police Affairs)
The Minister of Police Affairs has been having a quiet time in the office since his appointment in August.
Despite the campaigns by the president to focus on internal security and reform of the police, nothing is coming forth from the minister.
When the minister appeared at the dialogue on state police and pledged the support of the administration to allowing states to form their police units, he was countered by the representative of the IGP, who vehemently opposed state police.
Nigerians expect reform of the police in the aftermath of the EndSARS protests.
But one year into the administration, no serious reform has been done and Nigerians continue to face harassment, intimidation and extortion from policemen.
It’s not just Gaidam that has been quiet, the minister of state has been quiet too.
Uche Nnaji (Innovation, Science and Technology)
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology is one minister that many Nigerians may not know exists.
Mr Nnaji was compensated by the president with the ministerial slot after losing the Enugu State governorship election in 2023.
He remains relatively unknown despite almost spending a year in office as the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.
Joseph Utsev/Muhammed Goronyo (Water Resources)
The Minister of Water Resources, Joseph Utsev and his junior colleague, Muhammad Goronyo have been remarkably quiet since their appointment by the president.
Mr Utsev, an academic, had an impressive outing during the ministerial screening but there has been no clear-cut plan for the activities of the ministry.
The Minister of State, Goronyo is equally unknown by many Nigerians one year into the administration.
Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Youth)
In August 2023, when President Tinubu announced Abubakar Momoh as the Minister of Youths, the announcement was met with outrage and the president subsequently deployed Mr Momoh to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
Subsequently, Jamila Bio Ibrahim was announced as the minister.
But like most others on this list, she has been quiet on her plans for the country.
Ekperikpe Ekpo (Gas)
President Tinubu campaigned heavily on the transition to gas resources as the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy during his campaigns.
The president is the substantive Minister for Petroleum and Gas Resources but his Minister of State for Gas has been quiet since the appointment.
Gboyega Oyetola (Marine and Blue Economy)
When President Tinubu announced the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy as a district ministry, it generated curiosity among Nigerians as to what the ministry is about.
But since the appointment of the former governor of Osun State as the minister in charge of the ministry, it has been quiet except for pictures of the minister in suit meeting with investors.
The minister, who is believed to be related to the president, has a reputation for being a silent operator; however, Nigerians are curious as to what’s happening in his ministry.
