Reps Proposes Streamlined Cabinet to Cut Costs and Boost Efficiency

Our reporter

The Nigerian House of Representatives is advancing a constitutional amendment aimed at capping the number of ministers in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at 37.

The proposed change, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Streamline the Number of Ministers to be Appointed to the Federal Executive Council,” is currently under review by the Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

 

The bill, sponsored by lawmakers Mansur Soro (Darazo/Ganjuwa, Bauchi) and Usman Zannah (Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri, Borno), seeks to amend Section 147 (1) of the Constitution. The amendment would limit ministerial appointments to one representative from each of Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

 

At present, President Bola Tinubu's cabinet comprises 45 ministers, including substantive ministers and Ministers of State, a practice critics argue is inefficient and costly. The bill's proponents say the amendment will streamline governance, reduce duplication of duties, and enhance service delivery.

 

Speaking on the proposed legislation, Soro emphasized the importance of reducing governance costs and ensuring fairness. “One minister per state, including the Federal Capital Territory, is sufficient. Overrepresentation, as seen with Ogun State having four ministers while others have just one, raises questions of equity,” he said.

 

The proposed amendment aligns with broader efforts to institutionalize fairness, as evidenced by another bill under the Kalu-led committee. This separate legislation seeks to enforce the federal character principle in appointing National Assembly principal officers, addressing concerns of inclusivity and representation.

 

The initiatives reflect the lawmakers’ commitment to restructuring Nigeria's governance framework, balancing representation with cost-efficiency, and optimising administrative functions for national development.