The Federal Government has confirmed that the Ministry of Niger Delta Development has not been abolished but has undergone a name change. This clarification comes in the wake of public confusion following a significant reshuffle in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
President Tinubu recently reshuffled his cabinet, which led to the removal of six ministers and the redeployment of ten others. This cabinet change is part of the president’s broader strategy known as the “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
In this restructuring, seven new ministerial nominees were introduced, including Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of the late Igbo leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. The nomination list has been sent to the National Assembly for approval.
While announcing these changes, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, explained that the Ministry of Niger Delta Development has been renamed the Ministry of Regional Development. He emphasized that this new name reflects a broader responsibility and mission for the ministry.
Engr. Abubakar Momoh, the new minister in charge, reassured the people of the Niger Delta that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) remains operational and is still under the supervision of the newly formed Ministry of Regional Development.
He said: “For our people over there in the Niger Delta region, I would like them to know that, that has not removed anything from them.
“The NDDC is still very much in place, which is still under the Ministry of Regional Development and all other such agencies are there. It’s just a question of change of nomenclature.”
“All the structures and everything about the Niger Delta remains. It’s just a change of nomenclature and, of course, expansion of activities of the ministry.
“So I think it’s something worthy of commendation.”
