President Tinubu’s decision to scrap the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs sparks regional concerns, highlighting potential neglect of critical oil-producing areas.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle, which eliminated the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs while establishing a new Ministry of Livestock Development, has drawn significant criticism, particularly from stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil-rich regions.
The decision has raised questions about Tinubu’s approach to governance, sparking concerns that his administration might be sidelining economically vital areas like the Niger Delta while prioritising sectors perceived as less critical.
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The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, established in 2008 by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was intended to address the infrastructure and development needs of the oil-producing region.
Its dissolution has come under fire, as it suggests a downgrading of the Niger Delta’s importance within national priorities.
While Tinubu cited cost-saving motives, critics argue that the simultaneous creation of a Ministry of Livestock Development, along with the employment of additional ministers, contradicts claims of fiscal prudence.
Some political analysts interpret the move as part of Tinubu’s broader strategy, which they argue focuses on enhancing influence in the northern and western regions while disregarding the concerns of the South East and South-South regions.
This selective regional focus, they argue, has fostered a perception of neglect and marginalisation among communities heavily impacted by the environmental consequences of oil production.
Historically, the Niger Delta has held a unique place within Nigerian governance structures due to its role in the country’s economy.
Since the 1959 establishment of the Niger Delta Development Board, Nigeria has periodically sought to address the region’s challenges, from the formation of the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) under General Ibrahim Babangida in 1992 to the creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000.
Yar’Adua’s Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs marked a new chapter by combining dedicated ministry oversight with a Presidential Amnesty Programme to ease regional unrest.
Current critics argue that Tinubu’s actions ignore this history, as well as constitutional directives requiring fair representation and balanced development across regions.
His decision to prioritise the livestock sector, primarily benefiting the North, over the Niger Delta’s needs has sparked debates over economic priorities and perceived political biases.
The Ministry of Livestock Development’s establishment has also revived discussions around Tinubu’s campaign promises, specifically those involving regional economic development agencies (REDAs).
Although his campaign pledged new regional hubs to drive sub-national competitiveness, it notably omitted the N50 billion fund that had been outlined in the 2015 manifesto of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Niger Delta’s supporters contend that if Tinubu is dedicated to fulfilling the REDA initiative, he should establish agencies that reflect the distinct needs of the South-South and other oil-producing areas, rather than relying on interventions by the NDDC.
They argue that counting the NDDC as the region’s economic agency ignores its specialised purpose: mitigating the unique environmental and social impacts of oil extraction on affected communities.
Meanwhile, Tinubu’s detractors argue that his decision reflects a growing disregard for the political economy, a theme critics say resonates through his broader governance strategy.
They see his sidelining of the South East and South-South as evidence of a lopsided national vision, one that prioritises livestock development and infrastructure projects without recognising the foundational role of oil production to the Nigerian economy.
Adding to the critique, Kebbi Senator Adamu Aliero recently claimed that animals hold “citizenship rights,” a sentiment echoed in some pro-livestock circles.
This view has provoked further controversy, with some Nigerians suggesting that Tinubu’s policies may reflect an emerging imbalance in resource allocation that disadvantages oil-producing regions.
As the debate unfolds, proponents of Niger Delta development continue to call for the reinstatement of a ministry dedicated to addressing the region’s unique challenges.
For them, the removal of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs signifies more than just a bureaucratic shuffle; it is emblematic of a shifting national vision that may undermine the region’s environmental and economic stability in the years ahead.
ISIGUZO is a major commentator on minor issues