(Updated) Buhari Sacks Agriculture, Power Ministers, Redeploys Two Others

• Says process shall be continuous

By Deji Elumoye

President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Sabo Nanono, and Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman.

He also redeployed the Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, to the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, and the Minister of State, Works & Housing, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, to the Ministry of Power.

Announcing the changes in a statement to cabinet member during the Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja on Wednesday, Buhari said: “As we are all aware, change is the only factor that is constant in every human endeavor and as this administration approaches its critical phase in the second term, I have found it essential to reinvigorate this cabinet in a manner that will deepen its capacity to consolidate legacy achievements.

“Accordingly, a few cabinet changes, marking the beginning of a continuous process, have been approved.”

He said In due course, substantive nominations will be made to fill the consequential vacancies in accordance with the requirements of the constitution.

Buhari also disclosed that he had personally met with the departing members to thank them for their contributions to discussions in cabinet and the invaluable services rendered to the nation.

“Today, effectively marks their last participation in the Federal Executive Council deliberations and I wish them the best in all future endeavors”, he added.

Taking stock of his administration, he recalled that on Wednesday August 21, 2019 the current Federal Executive Council was sworn-in after a rigorous retreat to bring returning and new members up to speed on the accomplishments, challenges and lessons drawn from his first term in Office and to emphasise the nine priority areas of government in his second term.

The President said two years and some months into the second term, the tradition of subjecting our projects and programs implementation to independent and critical self-review had taken firm roots through sector reporting during cabinet meetings and at retreats.

He noted that these significant review steps had helped to identify and strengthen weak areas, close gaps, build cohesion and synergy in governance, manage the economy and improve the delivery of public good to Nigerians.

He commended members of his cabinet for demonstrating unparalleled resilience that helped the government to navigate the disruption to global systems and governance caused by COVID-19 pandemic shortly after his inauguration for second term.

See full statement of President Buhari to cabinet members below

STATEMENT TO CABINET MEMBERS BY MR PRESIDENT ON THE RESHUFFLE OF FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER, 2021

• Your Excellency the Vice President,

• Members of the Federal Executive Council.

On Wednesday 21st August, 2019 the current Federal Executive Council was sworn-in after a rigorous retreat to bring returning and new members up to speed on the accomplishments, challenges and lessons drawn from my first term in Office and to emphasise the 9 priority areas of government for the second term.

2.    Two years and some months into the second term, the tradition of subjecting our projects and programs implementation to independent and critical self-review has taken firm roots through sector Reporting during Cabinet meetings and at Retreats.

3.    These significant review steps have helped to identify and strengthen weak areas, close gaps, build cohesion and synergy in governance, manage the economy and improve the delivery of public good to Nigerians.

4.    I must commend this cabinet for demonstrating unparalleled resilience that helped the government to navigate the disruption to global systems and governance occasioned by the emergence of COVID-19 shortly after inauguration. The weekly Federal Executive Council meetings was not spared because the traditional mode was altered.

5.    As we are all aware, change is the only factor that is constant in every human endeavor and as this administration approaches its critical phase in the second term, I have found it essential to reinvigorate this cabinet in a manner that will deepen its capacity to consolidate legacy achievements.

6. Accordingly, a few cabinet changes, marking the beginning of a continuous process, have been approved. They are as follows:

Ministers Leaving the Cabinet:

1. Mohammed Sabo Nanono, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and

2. Engr. Sale Mamman, Minister of Power.

 Redeployment: 

1. Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Minister of Environment, to assume office as the Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development;

2. Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, Minister of State, Works & Housing assume office as the Minister of Power.

7.  In due course, substantive nominations will be made to fill the consequential vacancies in accordance with the requirements of the constitution.

8. I have personally met with the departing members to thank them for their contributions to discussions in cabinet and the invaluable services rendered to the nation. Today, effectively marks their last participation in the Federal Executive Council deliberations and I wish them the best in all future endeavors.

9. Finally, I wish to reiterate once more, that this process shall be continuous.

10. I thank you all and May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.