*18 new permanent secretaries appointed after the retirement of an equal number

*Ministries of  Police Affairs, Aviation,  Culture, Tourism and National Orientation scrapped  

*Ministry of Budget and Planning returns

President Buhari

The shape of President Muhammadu Buhari’s  Federal Executive Council  became clear today after he sacked some 18 inherited permanent secretaries and appointed new persons to replace them.

From the appointments made today, it was  clear that 25 of the 36 ministers-designate will get full ministerial portfolios, while there will be 11 ministers of state. President had said repeatedly he would not appoint more ministers than the ministries available.

Contrary to the promise to run a lean government, President Buhari essentially retained the bureaucratic structure inherited from the Jonathan administration. But there was  some re-jigging done as well, but not on the massive scale expected.

It had been repeatedly speculated that the President would run with just 18 ministries. Now, he has 25.

Among  major tinkering done is that there will now be a  distinct Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

The second is that the Ministry of Aviation has been scrapped.  There is now just the Ministry of Transportation.

The third is that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, no longer exists. Instead, the Ministry of Information has its duty expanded to oversee cultural affairs. Also scrapped is the Ministry of Police Affairs, which was absolutely unnecessary as there is a Police Service Commission.

Under Jonathan, the Budget Office was rolled under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development,  with the minister then, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala operating under a novel title, ‘Coordinating Minister of the economy’ . Here is a link to the old ministerial structure: http://services.gov.ng/federal-ministries

Here are the permanent secretaries appointed to oversee the 25 ministries, with effect from today.

1. Dr. Shehu Ahmad     –        Fed. Min. of Agric & Rural Development

2. Arch Sunday Echono         –        Fed. Min. of Communications

3. Alh. Sabiu Zakari      –        Fed. Min. of Transportation

4. Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba – Fed. Min. of Information & Culture

5. Amb. Danjuma Sheni        – Fed. Min. of Defence

6. Dr. Shade Yemi-Esan        –        Fed. Min. of Education

7. Mrs. Fatima Mede             –        Budget & National Planning

8. Alh. Mahmoud Isa Dutse – Fed. Min. of Finance

9. Amb. Bulus Lolo      –        Fed. Min of Foreign Affairs

10. Dr. Amina Shamaki         –        Fed. Min. of Health

11. Mr. Aliyu Bisalla      -Fed. Min. of Industry, Trade & Investment

12. Mr. Bassey Akpanyung    – Fed. Min. of Internal Affairs

13. Mr. Taiwo Abidogun        – Fed. Ministry of Justice

14. Dr. Habiba Lawal   –        Fed. Min. of Science & Tech.

15. Dr. Clement Illoh    –        Fed. Min. of Labour & Productivity

16. Dr. Jamila Shu’ara           –        Fed. Min of Petroleum Resources

17. Mrs. Binta Bello                –        Fed. Min of Women Affairs

18. Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye     –        Federal Capital Territory

19. Mrs. Rabi Jimeta             –        Fed. Min. of Water Resources

20. Dr. Bukar Hassan            –        Fed. Min of Environment

21. Mrs. Wakama B. Asifieka – Fed. Min. of Niger Delta Affairs

22. Mr. Istifanus Fuktur       –        Fed. Min. of Solid Minerals

23. Mr. Christian Ohaa          –        Fed. Min of Youth & Sports

24. Engr. A.G. Magaji            –        Fed. Min. of Works & Housing

25. Mr. Louis Edozien           –        Fed. Min. of Power

26. Mr. Jalal Arabi                 –        State House

27. Mr. Mohammed Bukar  – General Services Office, OSGF

28. Mr. Abbas Mohammed   – Ecological Fund Office, OSGF

29. Dr. Ugo Roy  –        Council Secretariat

30. Mr. Aminu Nabegu         –        Special Services Office, OSGF

31. Amb. Bamgbose Akindele         –        Political Affairs Office, OSGF

32. Mr. Alo Williams Nwankwo     –        Economic Affairs Office, OSGF

33. Mrs. Obiageli Nwokedi    –        Special Duties Office, OSGF

34. Mr. Innocent Ogbonnaya         -Career Management Office, OHCSF

35. Mr. S.K.Y. Adelakun        –        Common Services Office, OHCSF

36. Mrs. N. Batagarawa – Service Policy & Strategies Office, OHCSF

Eighteen of the 36 permanent secretaries were appointed today. They are 

1. Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba

2. Alhaji Mahmoud Isa-Dutse

3. Mr. Taiwo Abidogun

4. Dr. Bukar Hassan

5. Mrs. Wakama Belema Asifieka

6. Mr. Jalal Ahmad Arabi

7. Mr. Sabiu Zakari

8. Mrs. Obiageli Phyllis Nwokedi

9. Mr. Aminu Nabegu

10. Mr. Bamgbose Olukunle Oladele

11. Mr. Alo Williams Nwankwo

12. Dr. Shehu Ahmed

13. Mr. Ogbonnaya Innocent Kalu

14. Mrs. Nuratu Jimoh Batagarawa

15. Mr. Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa

16. Mr. Bassey Apkanyung

17. Mr. Louis Edozien

18. Dr. Ugo Roy