In a bold restructuring move, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday announced the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Ministry of Sports Development, signaling a significant shift in governance and policy direction.
The changes, revealed in a statement by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, form part of broader efforts to streamline government operations and enhance efficiency across sectors.
“There will now be a Ministry of Regional Development to oversee all the regional development commissions,” Onanuga explained. The new ministry will manage agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission, and North East Development Commission.
This move centralizes oversight of regional initiatives under one ministry, aiming to enhance coordination and focus on development projects across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports Development has been replaced by the National Sports Commission, which will now take on the responsibilities of overseeing sports activities and development across the country. Onanuga said, “The National Sports Commission will take over the role of the Ministry of Sports,” marking a return to the commission-based model that previously managed Nigerian sports affairs before the establishment of the Sports Ministry.
In addition to these shake-ups, the FEC also approved the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy. This merger is expected to foster greater synergy between the tourism sector and Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, bolstering efforts to promote the nation’s creative industries and attract international tourism.
“The decisions were taken today at the meeting of the Federal Executive Council in Abuja,” Onanuga added, underscoring the importance of these reforms in shaping the future of governance.
These changes represent the government’s latest efforts to improve administrative efficiency, particularly in areas crucial to national development and international competitiveness. By consolidating ministries and commissions, the government aims to reduce redundancy, streamline decision-making processes, and foster better cooperation among agencies.
Observers believe this restructuring may bring greater focus to regional development and sports management while enhancing Nigeria’s tourism and cultural sectors’ growth potential. However, questions remain about how the transitions will impact ongoing projects, particularly in the Niger Delta, where the ministry had been a significant player in development initiatives.
The scrapping of these ministries and the introduction of new administrative structures marks a significant turning point in Nigeria’s federal governance framework.
