President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a cabinet reshuffle affecting key positions in Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC), removing two ministers and appointing replacements in a move officials say is aimed at strengthening economic management and governance delivery.
The reshuffle, announced on Tuesday, saw the exit of Wale Edun as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, alongside Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who headed the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
To replace Edun, the president appointed Taiwo Oyedele, who previously served as Minister of State for Finance, elevating him to oversee the country’s fiscal and economic coordination.
In the housing sector, Muttaqha Rabe Darma has been nominated as minister-designate, pending confirmation by the Senate.
Officials said the changes were conveyed in a memo from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, directing immediate transitions and handovers in the affected ministries.
Government sources described the reshuffle as a “minor” adjustment within the broader cabinet, but one that targets critical economic and infrastructure portfolios.
The presidency has not publicly detailed specific reasons for the removals. However, the changes come amid ongoing economic reforms under Tinubu’s administration, including efforts to stabilise public finances, manage inflation, and sustain growth driven partly by improved oil production.
Analysts say the replacement of the finance minister is particularly significant, given the central role of fiscal policy in addressing Nigeria’s cost-of-living pressures and debt challenges. The appointment of Oyedele, a tax and policy specialist, suggests a possible shift toward deeper fiscal restructuring and revenue reforms.
This is not the first cabinet adjustment under Tinubu, who has periodically reshuffled portfolios since taking office in May 2023 as part of efforts to improve performance and respond to political and economic pressures.
The latest changes are expected to take effect immediately, with formal swearing-in and Senate confirmation processes to follow where required.
