Restructures ministries, focuses on regional development
DAILY COURIER — In a significant move aimed at streamlining government operations and enhancing regional governance, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) announced today the dissolution of the Niger Delta Ministry and the Ministry of Sports Development. The decisions were made during a meeting held in Abuja, marking a pivotal shift in Nigeria’s administrative framework.*
The newly established **Ministry of Regional Development** will now oversee the various regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission, and North East Development Commission. This consolidation is intended to foster a more coordinated approach to regional growth and ensure that developmental initiatives are tailored to the unique needs of each region.
“The creation of the Ministry of Regional Development signals our commitment to enhancing infrastructure and socio-economic growth across Nigeria’s diverse regions,” President Tinubu stated. “By bringing together our regional commissions under one umbrella, we aim to foster collaboration and maximize the impact of our development efforts.”
In a related development, the functions of the now-defunct Ministry of Sports Development will be transferred to the **National Sports Commission**. This reorganization aims to streamline sports administration in the country, focusing on improving funding, management, and oversight of sporting activities and programs. The move is seen as a step toward revitalizing Nigeria's sports sector, which has faced numerous challenges in recent years.
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, John Enoh, expressed optimism about the changes. “This transition to the National Sports Commission will provide us with the agility and resources needed to drive sports development and achieve our national goals,” Enoh said.
Additionally, the FEC approved the merger of the **Ministry of Tourism** with the **Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy**, creating a unified platform to enhance Nigeria’s cultural and tourism sectors. This integration is expected to foster synergy between tourism promotion and cultural initiatives, ultimately boosting Nigeria’s image on the global stage and encouraging local and international tourism.
The decisions reflect President Tinubu’s administration's broader strategy to optimize governmental functions and improve service delivery. These reforms come as part of ongoing efforts to enhance governance and drive national development in the face of various economic and social challenges.
The restructuring has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders. While some view it as a necessary step toward more efficient governance, others have expressed concerns about potential disruptions to ongoing projects and initiatives within the dissolved ministries.
As Nigeria moves forward with these changes, the government has emphasized its commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and continued support for developmental programs across all regions.