President Bola Tinubu has announced the scrapping of the Niger Delta and Sports Development ministries, merging their functions into a new Ministry of Regional Development and the National Sports Commission, respectively. This restructuring aims to streamline government operations and enhance regional development efforts across Nigeria.
In a major government restructuring, President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) have decided to eliminate the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Ministry of Sports Development. The decision was announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, following a FEC meeting in Abuja.
The move marks a significant shift in how regional development and sports will be managed across the country. The Niger Delta Ministry's responsibilities will now be absorbed by a new Ministry of Regional Development, which will oversee regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission, and North East Development Commission.
Onanuga also confirmed that the duties of the Sports Development Ministry would be transferred to the National Sports Commission. This body will now oversee all sports-related activities nationwide, a decision seen as part of a broader plan to streamline government functions.
In another key restructuring, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy have been merged, creating a unified entity aimed at boosting Nigeria’s cultural and tourism sectors.
The sweeping changes are part of President Tinubu's larger efforts to make his administration more efficient, while also addressing regional and national development challenges. This overhaul has sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning the impact on Niger Delta communities, while others are optimistic about the potential for more coordinated development.
