President Bola Tinubu has directed his ministers to hold regular press briefings to update Nigerians on government policies and activities, following concerns that some cabinet members have failed to adequately account for their stewardship.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this announcement in Abuja, emphasizing that the directive aligns with the President’s commitment to transparency and public engagement.
According to Idris, the initiative will ensure ministers communicate key developments, address public concerns, and counter misinformation.
“In 2024, we hosted 25 ministers at these briefings and reached millions of people in Nigeria and abroad through traditional and digital media platforms,” Idris said.
He further noted, “This year, 2025, is a year of consolidation—a year for building on the gains we have seen in the first 19 months of the administration.”
The announcement has sparked speculation that the move could serve as a precursor to a cabinet reshuffle as Tinubu’s second anniversary in office approaches.
Observers recall that ahead of his first anniversary, the President mandated all 47 ministers to present performance reports, with sectoral briefings held as part of the low-key celebrations.
Although Tinubu reshuffled his cabinet in October, removing five ministers and reassigning 10 to different portfolios, some ministers perceived as underperforming retained their positions. Analysts believe the latest directive could signal another potential shake-up within the administration.
However, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed such claims, insisting that the directive is solely about accountability.
“The President has always insisted that ministers should render accounts. People want to know what they have been doing, but not all of them have been doing so.
“By asking them now to come forward and speak, the Information minister is merely implementing what the President has consistently emphasized—that the public deserves to know what each minister is doing. This has nothing to do with a reassessment or a cabinet reshuffle.
“It is simply about ensuring that all ministers provide periodic updates on their activities,” Onanuga stated.
A source close to the President, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reinforced this position, asserting that the briefings are not linked to ministerial assessments or potential cabinet changes.
“I don’t believe it’s about assessment. This is nothing new. They have been doing it before, and this is just a reiteration. What I can tell you is that it cannot serve as a basis for assessment because the evaluation parameters are entirely different,” the source explained.
While the administration insists the briefings are meant to enhance transparency, political analysts will be watching closely for any signs that a ministerial shake-up may be on the horizon.
