TWO public commentators have urged President Bola Tinubu to relinquish his role as substantive petroleum minister to a qualified Nigerian.
Baba Yusuf and Femi Odeere argued that since Tinubu appointed his cabinet in August 2023, his decision to keep the petroleum portfolio has not improved Nigeria’s daily oil production.
They pointed out that top oil-producing countries, such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the UAE, do not have their presidents acting as petroleum ministers.
The two shared their views today in an interview.
Yusuf, former Managing Director of NAHCO Free Trade Zone, stated, “I believe the President of Nigeria should not be distracted by the petroleum portfolio. Presidents in the largest oil-producing nations do not handle the role of petroleum minister.
“Countries like the United Kingdom, United States, China, Russia, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia do not have their presidents holding the petroleum portfolio or any similar role.”
He urged Tinubu to “step away from the entanglements of the oil and gas sector, appoint a dedicated minister, and hold that individual accountable.”
Yusuf also recommended that the president reduce his cabinet size, noting that having two ministers overseeing one ministry has not led to increased productivity.
Odeere, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, agreed with Yusuf, stating that Tinubu should end the tradition of Nigerian presidents serving as petroleum ministers.
“This reflects a flaw in our system. Why assign ministers for other sectors yet insist that only the president can manage oil? It suggests we don’t yet trust our system to ensure accountability,” he argued.
He also noted that this precedent, started by Obasanjo, has been followed by subsequent presidents, though it is unclear why.
Meanwhile, since appointing 48 ministers in August 2023, Tinubu has faced scrutiny over his administration amid economic challenges, inflation, and security issues.
Responding to mounting criticism, Tinubu recently reshuffled his cabinet, removing five ministers, reassigning 10, and appointing seven new members.