In a significant move towards federal restructuring, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the dissolution of the Ministries of Niger Delta Affairs and Sports Development.
This reform came as part of the decisions taken during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja.
A new Ministry of Regional Development has been created to replace the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and it will now supervise all regional development commissions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission, and North East Development Commission.
This new ministry aims to streamline regional development efforts across Nigeria, ensuring a more unified approach to addressing regional challenges.
Similarly, the responsibilities of the Ministry of Sports have now been transferred to the National Sports Commission, which will be in charge of sports management and development nationwide.
In a related move, the FEC also approved the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy.
This consolidation is expected to strengthen efforts in promoting Nigeria’s tourism and cultural heritage.
Speaking on the reform, a government official noted, “The creation of the Ministry of Regional Development will foster a coordinated strategy to address regional needs, while the merger of tourism and culture ministries will enhance the creative and economic potential of Nigeria.”
