Tinubu Stands Firm on Cabinet Size and Subsidy Removal Amid Criticism

Our reporter

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining a 48-member cabinet, dismissing allegations that it is oversized and inefficient. Speaking on Monday, December 23, during a media engagement at his Bourdillon residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, the president defended his decision, stating that the structure of his administration was carefully designed for optimal performance. 

 

“Reducing the size of my cabinet is not on the table,” Tinubu asserted. “Every appointment was made with efficiency and the specific needs of this administration in mind. This is about achieving results, not conforming to outdated notions of governance.” 

 

The president also addressed lingering criticism of his controversial removal of the petrol subsidy, a policy he implemented shortly after taking office in May 2023. Tinubu described the subsidy as an unsustainable burden on Nigeria’s economy and dismissed calls for its reinstatement. 

 

“We were living in denial, mortgaging our future,” he explained. “The petrol subsidy was a scam that had to end. Nigeria cannot continue to play ‘Father Christmas’ to its neighbours at the expense of its own citizens.” 

 

His remarks come as public discourse intensifies around his administration's decisions, from economic policies to cabinet appointments. While some view his actions as necessary steps toward reform, others have expressed concerns about their immediate impact on Nigerians. 

 

Despite the controversies, Tinubu maintains that his government’s strategies are grounded in the nation’s long-term interests, pledging to stay the course regardless of criticism. “Leadership requires tough decisions, and I’m here to make them,” he concluded.