Editorial: Now That President Tinubu Has Shattered the Table
In an era when Nigerians have consistently raised their voices against an over-bloated cabinet and the spiraling cost of governance, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a bold and commendable step: reshuffling his cabinet, sacking certain ministers, and trimming down the number of ministries. These moves, though long overdue, represent a significant stride toward addressing inefficiency and reducing waste within the federal government. It is a necessary shift that signals the president’s willingness to act on calls for reform, even as Nigeria struggles with the daunting realities of economic hardship.
At CSR Reporters, we have long emphasized the importance of a leaner, more effective government structure. For years, Nigerians have clamored for this kind of restructuring, arguing that the bloated cabinet and unnecessary duplication of ministries only serve to inflate costs while delivering little in terms of governance outcomes. President Tinubu’s decision to streamline the machinery of government is a direct response to these concerns, and for that, he deserves credit.
Yet, as important as these actions are, they are but the first step in a journey towards true fiscal responsibility. To truly shatter the table of wasteful governance and lead the nation to prosperity, more comprehensive reforms are needed. The reshuffling of the cabinet is promising, but the expenditures of government officials—often excessive, unaccountable, and unjustifiable—must be addressed with the same level of determination. It is not enough to trim the cabinet if officials continue to live lavishly at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.
President Tinubu’s administration must prioritize cutting down on extravagant allowances, bloated entourages, and expensive foreign trips for government officials. These excesses are starkly out of touch with the current realities of the average Nigerian. The country’s economy is reeling, with inflation soaring and unemployment reaching alarming levels. There is hunger in the land. Many families are unable to meet their basic needs, and poverty continues to grip the masses with increasing ferocity.
We call on the president to intensify his focus on addressing the root causes of this economic hardship. The Nigerian people are resilient, but they can no longer bear the brunt of bad governance, inefficiency, and unproductive public spending. Restructuring the ministries and trimming the cabinet should be followed by a deliberate effort to reduce waste in all areas of government.
More than ever, Nigeria needs a government that is in tune with the needs of the people. It is time for the president to go further by ensuring that the cost of governance is truly reflective of the current economic situation. Salaries of public officials should be reviewed, not just those of ministers but across all levels of government. Luxury must give way to sacrifice, and efficiency must be the mantra of this administration.
We remind President Tinubu today that the poor are gasping for air. The ongoing fuel subsidy removal and currency devaluation have added to their woes, and without rapid intervention, we risk deepening the already widespread poverty.
While the president’s cabinet reshuffle is a positive step, it is not a solution in and of itself. Nigerians want to see more than just changes in personnel; they want to see genuine improvements in their daily lives. The time for bold, transformative action is now. The president must seize this moment to address the fundamental economic challenges facing the nation, particularly the rising cost of living and the unemployment crisis.
In conclusion, we commend President Tinubu for shattering the table with this much-needed reform of the federal cabinet. However, we urge him to remember that Nigerians are still grappling with hunger, poverty, and the economic strain of everyday life. This administration must rise to the challenge of delivering not just symbolic actions, but lasting, meaningful change.
The table may be shattered, but the work is far from done.
