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Update : Tinubu directs Minister to perform and restore faith in government
Cabinet members lay out priority areas
President demands performance, urges restoration of faith in govt
Ministers got the Presidential directive to perform and restore faith in government.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spoke after 45 ministers took the oath of office and oath of allegiance before him at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
The ministers left the venue and hit the ground running by resuming at their various ministries.
They also spoke on how they would actualise the Renewed Hope agenda.
Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, assured Nigerians on resumption at the Ministry of Finance that the discomfort as a result of the government’s bold steps to reform the economy would soon be over.
Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, said he would prioritise health security and reduce medical tourism.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, promised to restore the Abuja Master Plan and step on toes in the process if necessary.
Works Minister, Dave Umahi, said he will not jettison his national outlook.
He promised to be a hands-on minister who would not allow bureaucracy to be a spoke in his wheel.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said he would confront the national grid challenge and meet the universal metering of households.
Under him, he added, electricity supply will be stable and accessible.
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, said President Tinubu sent him to the ministry because he intended to pursue diversification.
He said: “Now if you all can sit down to analyse the global trend of economic development, you would note that hydrocarbon, that is oil, is fading out.
“The world is moving towards alternatives like gas, electric cars and the rest. So, what is the next economic growth factor? It is solid minerals.”
Marine and Blue Economy Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, said the blue economy is estimated globally to be worth more than $1.5 trillion annually.
He said considering the size of the country’s blue economy, it should contribute to the revenue drive and provide jobs for the unemployed.
Opportunities in the sub-sector will be fully harnessed, he added.
Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo (SAN) said he would build on the existing aviation roadmap.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo warned para-military agencies against infractions, adding that internal security will be business unusual under his watch.
Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Minister Betta Edu explained that she will vigorously pursue the government’s goal of lifting 133 million Nigerians out of poverty.
The ministers were sworn in in nine batches of five in alphabetical order.
But priority was accorded the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
His office is the only one mentioned in the Constitution.
The invitation for oath-taking preceded the reading of the resume of the ministers.
At the end of the oath-taking, the President read his address and proceeded to take a group photograph with all 45 ministers.
The inauguration was witnessed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abass, Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF) Senator George Akume and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Abdulaziz Abdulrahman of Kwara State.
Others were governors, political leaders, family members of the ministers, and top government functionaries.
The President noted that the ministers came on board at a time when the country needed renewal and reforms across the sectors.
He said: “Nigerians expect you to hit the ground running just as we had promised them during our campaigns.
“With your inauguration today (yesterday), you have become ministers of the Federal Republic, not ministers of a particular state or region.
“Nigerians expect a lot and they deservedly want to see changes in their lives.
“You are now in the same boat with me, and they expect that their lives will take a new and better turn.”
Noting that the new ministers reflected the national diversity, the president said they were chosen because of their records in their various fields.
Tinubu said despite the ministers’ track records, he would be behind the wheels of the vehicle conveying Nigerians on the journey to a greater country while they serve as conductors.
His words: “In line with the constitutional obligations, the Senate has screened and confirmed 45 ministers who will superintend over the ministries of Federal Government in this administration of renewed hope.
“The men and women who have been sworn in have been carefully selected by me for their track record of excellence and achievement in the public and private sectors.
“They reflect the diversity of Nigeria and bring to their new role an assortment of experience and expertise to help guide the nation’s affairs and also continue to rebuild the nation and re-engineer all our finances and defects, building blocks of Nigeria today and the future.
“The challenges we face today are very daunting, yes. Amidst this evident challenge, we have the opportunity to implement long overdue reforms that will improve the operation of government, transform our nation’s economy and ensure peace, safety and prosperity for our people.
“These are the objectives that underpin the renewed hope agenda. These are the objectives that inspired the selection of a lot of these distinguished ladies and gentlemen ministers.
“Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you are not a minister of a region or minister of a particular state.
“Since my inauguration on May 29, I have taken steps to begin implementing the agenda from which I campaigned and for which I received the mandate of the Nigerian people.
“With the inauguration of ministers today (yesterday), we are about to accelerate our governing efforts to move forward, highlighting our best aspiration for Nigerians. It is all about a great team. And I believe we have them here.
“It is the highest honour to be chosen to serve as the minister in the Federal Executive Council of our beloved Republic. With such high honour comes tremendous responsibility.
“In this moment of abundant promise and peril in equal measure, all of you who have been sworn in have been called to distinguish yourselves.
“All of you who have been sworn in have been called to distinguish yourselves. It is me who knows you. I delegate this authority, but the greatest number of Nigerians are highly expecting delivery, accountability and transparency.
“I expect that you will serve with integrity, dignity and deliver. I will hold you to that standard we all promised Nigerians.
“Your assignment begins immediately. As your country honours you by this call to service, you must each work to make yourself worthy in the eyes of God and all our nation’s people.
“Your highest obligation is to restore public faith in government so that our people can once again believe.
“I believe in you that the government can be a positive force for transformation and a vehicle for collective progress of this country.
“I congratulate you and welcome you to the administration of renewed hope. I wish you success in this new assignment.
“We must hold each other responsible. We have to do the job to meet the expectations of all Nigerians.
“As I said earlier on, you are not a minister of a particular state, colony, region or ethnic nationality. You are a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God be with you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,”
The ministers are Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkiruka Onyejeocha; Minister of State (Gas), Ministry of Petroleum Resources Ekperikpe Ekpo; Minister of State (Oil), Ministry of Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri; Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy; Minister of Education Tahir Maman; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Ali Pate; Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Joseph Utsev and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari.
Others are Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Betta Edu; Minister of Sports Development John Enoh; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo (SAN); Minister of Works Dave Umahi and Minister of Niger Delta Development Abubakar Momoh.
Also in the new Federal Executive Council (FEC) are the Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake; Minister of Innovation Science and Technology Uche Nnaji; Minister of Transportation Alkali Sa’id; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Anite and Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru.
Others are Minister of State Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Gwarzo; Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mariya Mahmud; Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ahmed Dangiwa; Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu.
Others are Minister of State Education Yusuf Sunumu; Minister of Steel Development Shuaibu Audu; Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Tunji Alausa; Minister of Tourism Lola Ade-John and Minister of State, Police Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi; Minister of Information and National Orientation Muhammed Idris; Minister of State Environment Ishak Salako; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun and Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani are the others.
Also sworn in are Minister of Interior Bunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of Power Adedayo Adelabu; Minister of Labour and Employment Simon Lalong and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike.
Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation Bello Goronyo; Minister of State for Steel Development Maigari Ahmadu; Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Geidam; Minister of State for Defense Bello Matawalle and Minster of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs Zephaniah Jisalo complete the 45.
The Dangote Group has dismissed as false and malicious claims of a rift between its President, Aliko Dangote, and the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, and also rejected allegations that he (Dangote) solicited support for financing his refinery project.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the group described as “entirely baseless” a publication stating that Dangote had revealed why he distanced himself from Elumelu, stressing that neither the businessman nor the organisation made such remarks.
The statement, signed by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said the report misrepresented both personal and corporate positions and added that there was no disagreement between the two prominent business leaders.
“The Dangote Group has become aware of a publication titled ‘Aliko Dangote Speaks Out on Why He Distanced Himself from Tony Elumelu’, which is false, malicious, and baseless. At no time did the President or the Group make such statements or express such sentiments,” the statement read in part.
The company further dismissed claims that the multi-billion-dollar Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals was financed through personal borrowing from friends, describing such assertions as inaccurate and a deliberate misrepresentation of facts.
According to the group, Dangote does not fund projects through informal personal loans, noting that any such claims should be backed by verifiable evidence.
“As a matter of principle, Aliko Dangote neither finances his projects through personal borrowing from friends nor engages in lending arrangements of that nature. Any individual making such claims should provide verifiable evidence to substantiate them,” the statement added.
The group also clarified that there was no strain in the relationship between Dangote and Elumelu, maintaining that both men continue to enjoy a longstanding and cordial relationship despite the claims circulating in the report.
The clarification follows the circulation of a widely shared online post which alleged that Dangote fell out with Elumelu after a failed financial assistance request during the construction of the refinery.
In the post, attributed to Dangote but now disowned by the company, the author claimed that in 2021, when the refinery project was about half-completed, he ran out of funds and approached several business associates for support, including Femi Otedola, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Mike Adenuga, and Elumelu.
The post further alleged that Elumelu promised $20m but later became unreachable, while other associates reportedly raised $500m to support the project, with Otedola said to have contributed $300m.
However, the Dangote Group said such claims were fabricated and should not be attributed to its president, reiterating that the financing narrative presented in the post was false.
Beyond the disputed publication, the company raised concerns over what it described as a growing trend of fabricated statements and the unauthorised use of Dangote’s identity in digitally manipulated content.
It warned that the misuse of his name, likeness, and image in artificial intelligence-generated advertisements and other misleading materials poses reputational risks and could amount to fraud.
“Furthermore, the group notes with concern a rising pattern of fabricated statements and the unauthorised use of Aliko Dangote’s name, likeness, and image in AI-generated advertisements and other misleading content. These actions amount to reputational harm and potential fraud,” the statement said.
The company cautioned individuals, organisations, and platforms involved in creating or disseminating false information to desist immediately, warning that it would not hesitate to pursue legal action where necessary to protect its reputation and that of its leadership.
The Dangote Group reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high standards of integrity while continuing its industrial and economic contributions across Africa, particularly in advancing self-sufficiency and sustainable development.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has raised serious concerns over a growing wave of attacks targeting train operations along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor, describing the incidents as dangerous and economically damaging.
In the latest attack, suspected vandals reportedly targeted a moving train around Kilometer 177 on the route, pelting stones at the locomotive and damaging its windscreen. The incident is one of several recorded in recent weeks, highlighting an alarming pattern of hostility along the critical transport corridor.
According to the Corporation, similar acts have occurred in multiple locations, including Gidan Busa and Sarki Gora Village in Kakau District, within Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. In total, more than six attack points have been identified within a two-week span, intensifying operational challenges for railway authorities.
The NRC warned that these repeated attacks pose a direct threat to passengers, railway personnel, and infrastructure. It described the acts as economic sabotage capable of undermining the Federal Government’s heavy investment in rail transport and disrupting a key component of national mobility.
Despite the risks, the Corporation confirmed that train services along the corridor have continued, with heightened safety measures and increased vigilance by railway staff to ensure passenger safety. Management commended security agencies for their ongoing collaboration in protecting railway assets and maintaining order along the routes.
Efforts are currently underway in partnership with security operatives, community leaders, and other stakeholders to strengthen surveillance, identify those responsible, and bring them to justice.
The NRC has also appealed to residents living along railway corridors to play an active role in safeguarding the infrastructure. It urged communities to report suspicious movements and discourage acts of vandalism, warning that continued attacks could disrupt smooth service delivery if not urgently addressed.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Corporation assured Nigerians that it remains focused on providing safe, secure, and efficient rail services nationwide, while intensifying efforts to protect both passengers and critical railway infrastructure.
By Sotayo Olayinka
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Thursday approved a $2.99 billion package of rail infrastructure projects, signalling a renewed commitment by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deepen infrastructure development and unlock economic growth.
While this initiative is widely commendable, there is a growing call for the Federal Government to extend similar support to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). Strengthening the corporation would significantly improve inter-state transportation, ease the pressure on road networks caused by overloaded trucks, and enhance logistics efficiency nationwide.
Nigeria has already recorded progress with the Lagos–Ibadan rail corridor. However, greater impact can be achieved if the government connects Lagos to Abuja, complementing the existing Kaduna–Katsina line. Such integration would go a long way in addressing the country’s persistent transportation challenges. There is also increasing public demand for the expansion of rail services to the northern and eastern regions, which would create a more unified and dependable national transport system.
Many Nigerians still recall the 1960s, when train services operated seamlessly from Lagos to Kaduna and even Sokoto—an era that underscored the immense potential of an efficient rail network.
Expanding the railway system aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and would deliver tangible results in infrastructure development. There is also a widely held view that the current leadership of the NRC, under Managing Director Kayode Opeifa, is making meaningful progress in revitalizing rail services.
Sustained government backing will be critical to consolidating these gains and building a modern, efficient, and nationally connected railway system capable of driving economic growth and easing transportation challenges across Nigeria.
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