From Obasanjo to Tinubu: Full List of Ministers Sacked, Suspended From 1999 to 2024
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, October 23, announced a major cabinet reshuffle, sacking five ministers just after they spent one year in office
The presidency announced the development after a federal executive council meeting where Tinubu dissolved and merged some ministries
However, Nigeria since the return of democracy in 1999, presidents have been sacking ministers and the list of affected ministers has been compiled. …CONTINUE READING
President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to sack five ministers is part of a broader effort to revamp government operations in Nigeria. This move was announced after the Federal Executive Council meeting on October 23, 2024.
Ministerial dismissals are nothing new in Nigeria’s history, dating back to the country’s return to civilian rule in 1999. Past leaders, including Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, have also made similar moves.
The reasons for these ministerial exits vary. Some were removed due to involvement in scandals, while others became casualties of cabinet reshuffles. In some cases, ministers were pressured to resign without formal announcements. These dismissals reflect the ever-changing dynamics of Nigerian politics.
Below is the list of ministers who have been sacked since 1999 till date according to The Nation:
Barth Nnaji
Nnaji, a former Minister of Power, was forced to resign due to allegations of subverting the bidding process for the Afam Power plant sale. The professor was a minister under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Stella Oduah
She was the ex-Minister of Aviation, removed due to corruption allegations, and later charged with money laundering. She served under Jonathan and was sacked in 2014.
Oduah later served as a senator representing Anambra North in the national assembly between 2015 and 2023.
Sabo Nanono
He was a former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, sacked as part of a minor cabinet reshuffle. Former President Muhammadu Buhari allegedly sacked the Nanono over the failure of the ministry of agriculture.
Saleh Mamman
This is another former minister who supervised the Ministry of Power under the immediate past administration of Buhari. Like Nanono, Mamman was removed in the same cabinet reshuffle.
Betta Edu
She was the first to be suspended under Tinubu’s current administration and was recently replaced in the cabinet reshuffle. The former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs was accused of alleged money laundering.
Michael Aondoakaa – Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, removed in 2010 under controversial circumstances by then-acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
Fabian Osuji – Minister of Education, dismissed in March 2005 due to corruption allegations involving bribery to the National Assembly.
Prof. Adenike Grange – Minister of Health, resigned amid a scandal involving a N300 million fraud case in 2008..
Caleb Olubolade – Minister of Police Affairs, removed in 2014 to allow him to pursue gubernatorial ambitions in Ekiti State.
Godsday Orubebe – Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, sacked in 2015 to enable his run for Delta State governorship.
Yerima Ngama – Minister of State for Finance, dismissed in 2014 after announcing his gubernatorial ambitions in Yobe State.
Shamsudeen Usman – Former Minister of National Planning, removed during a cabinet reshuffle in 2014.
Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai – Education Minister, sacked in 2013 after failing to resolve ongoing strikes by academic unions.
Amal Iyingiala Pepple – Minister of Housing, dismissed in September 2013 during a significant cabinet overhaul by President Jonathan.
Bukar Tijani – Sacked from his ministerial position in September 2013 after serving from July 2011.
Olusola Obada – Former Minister of State for Defence, removed during a major reshuffle in September 2013.
Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi – Served as Minister of State for Power and Niger Delta Affairs; inadvertently sacked during a cabinet meeting in September 2013.
Uju Kennedy – Recently served as Minister for Women Affairs under the regime of President Bola Ahemd Tinubu. She was dismissed in a major shakeup of the President’s cabinet on Wednesday, October 23.
Lola Ade-John – Recently served as Minister for Tourism. Was also dismissed in a major shakeup of the President’s cabinet on Wednesday, October 23.
Tahir Mamman – Recently served as Minister for Education. Was also sacked in a major shakeup of the President’s cabinet, aimed at improving government operations on Wednesday, October 23.
Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo – Recently served as the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development. Was also sacked in a major shakeup of the President’s cabinet on Wednesday, October 23.
Jamila Bio Ibrahim – Recenetly served as minister of youth development. Was also recently sacked in a major shakeup of the President’s cabinet on Wednesday, October 23.
