- Ministers dismissed by President Tinubu reacted with reflections on their service
- Tahir Mamman remained silent while a non-governmental organisation, Education for Accelerated Development (EDAD), commended his dismissal, citing issues during his tenure
- TheRadar compiled reactions from the dismissed ministers following the announcement below
Reactions have begun to surface from the ministers dismissed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a significant cabinet reshuffle aimed at improving government efficiency.
The announcement of their dismissal was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, October 23, at the State House, Abuja.
Ministers react to dismissal by Tinubu
TheRadar compiled reactions from the affected officials following the announcement below:
1. Lola Ade-John (Minister of Tourism)
In a letter released by Elizabeth Ofili, Ade-John’s media aide, the outgoing Minister of Tourism expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve the country.
The letter read, “I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to you, Mr President, for the opportunity to serve Nigeria as the Honourable Minister of Tourism.
“It has been a profound honour to work toward your vision for a thriving tourism sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with a focus on sustainable, community-centred tourism.
“I am deeply thankful to the people of Nigeria and to the hardworking staff of the Ministry, whose dedication made our achievements possible.
“Thank you, Mr President, for your trust. It has been a privilege to contribute to this administration’s goals, and I remain committed to Nigeria’s progress.”
2. Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo (Minister of State for Housing and Development)
Reacting, the outgoing Minister of State for Housing and Development reflected on the period he served and thanked the President in a statement posted on his X account. The statement read:
“As I reflect on my tenure as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, I'm filled with gratitude. Serving the nation for a year has been an invaluable experience.
“Thank President Tinubu for trusting me with this role, allowing me to contribute to the country's growth and development. My focus was on tackling housing challenges, promoting sustainable urban development, and enhancing citizens' quality of life.
“Although my time was brief, I'm proud of our progress and the foundations laid. I congratulate the incoming minister and wish them success. I'm confident they'll build upon our achievements.
“To President Tinubu, as my leader, mentor, I offer best wishes for his administration's continued success. I remain committed to supporting Nigeria's progress, even outside government.
“Leadership is about serving with integrity, humility, and dedication.
These values will guide me in my next chapter. Thank you, and may God bless our great nation.”
3. Uju Kennedy (Minister of Women Affairs)
Barrister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye wrote a letter of appreciation posted on her X account stating:
“I write to express my sincere gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has been an honour and a privilege to contribute to the development of our Nation.
“I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for her invaluable guidance and support during my tenure as Minister of Women Affairs. Her kindness and encouragement have been instrumental to my success.
“To the people of Nigeria, I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support. Your trust and confidence in me have been a constant source of inspiration.
“I remain committed to serving my country and will continue to do my utmost to contribute to its progress and prosperity.”
4. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Former Minister of Youth)
Following her dismissal by the President, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim, restricted her X (Twitter) account. This change was implemented soon after the announcement of her dismissal, changing her account from public to private.
5. Tahir Mamman (Minister of Education)
Since his dismissal as Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman has not made any public comments. However, a non-governmental organisation, the Education for Accelerated Development (EDAD), has praised President Tinubu for his decision, describing it as a necessary move long-awaited.
In a statement released on Thursday, October 24, EDAD National Coordinator Dr Livinus Mbaonu cited several reasons that may have led to Mamman's removal.
The statement read, “Providing Misinformation Leading to Diplomatic Conflict: Tahir’s statements led to a diplomatic misunderstanding between Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Togo, resulting in the suspension of degree programs from universities in these countries.
“Misrepresenting Accredited Universities in Benin: He wrongly claimed that only 3 universities in Benin were accredited, while the actual number is over 50, causing confusion about the legitimacy of these institutions.
“Denial of NYSC Scheme to Foreign Students: His unprofessional handling of foreign students’ participation in the NYSC scheme caused thousands of Nigerian graduates from Benin and Togo to be denied entry into the program and The Ministry of Education’s failure to address the needs of stranded foreign students whose scholarships are unpaid or delayed leads to significant challenges.
“Interagency Conflicts: Under Tahir’s leadership, there were conflicts among key educational bodies like the NBTE, NUC, NYSC, and JAMB. This lack of coordination led to conflicting information, resulting in graduates being denied participation in the NYSC or professional exams.”
“Mamman declared that Nigerians who had obtained certificates from universities in Benin and Togo would be sacked from public service and prosecuted, which led to many Nigerians losing their jobs and caused widespread unrest.
“The former minister falsely claimed that the federal government would pay stipends to all unemployed graduates in Nigeria, a promise that was not part of the government’s agenda and created false expectations.
“There was a noticeable lack of cooperation and harmony between Tahir and the Minister of State for Education, as well as other senior officials, leading to inefficiency in the ministry’s operations.”
“Playing games”: Nigerians react as President reshuffles ministers, appoints Bianca, others
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that In a bid to streamline administration for more effective governance, President Tinubu announced a reshuffle of his cabinet, which had elicited mixed reactions from the Nigerian public.
TheRadar compiled diverse public reactions to the cabinet reshuffle.