At a time when Nigeria’s economic difficulties are worsening, the country’s president has appointed new humanitarian aid and poverty reduction ministers.
The president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, dismissed five ministers and appointed seven new ones, in a major reshuffle of his cabinet with the aim of making his administration more efficient, his office announced this Wednesday.
Change arises at a time when economic difficulties are worsening and frustration with the administration of Africa’s most populous country.
Tinubu named new ministers of humanitarian aid and poverty reduction, trade and investment, labor and livestock developmentas well as vice ministers of Foreign Affairs, Education and Housing, according to the statement.
The ministers of Education, Tourism, Status of Women and Youth Development and the deputy minister of Housing were dismissed.
Tinubu took office last year and introduced reforms aimed at reducing public spending and supporting a decline in foreign investment.
But, more than a year later, Nigeria’s inflation rate has reached its highest level in 28 years and the currency, the naira, is at historic lows against the dollar.
HE Frustration over the high cost of living sparked several protests. en masse in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds more arrested in a protest demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people.
Despite being one of Africa’s leading crude oil producers, Nigeria remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Chronic corruption creates contrasts between the lifestyles of public officials and that of the general population, while health professionals frequently go on strike to protest their meager salaries.
Last year, Tinubu approved spending millions of dollars on his presidential yacht and sport utility vehicles for his wife and senior government officials.
Source: Observadora
