The Jonathan Cabinet

The outline of the Jonathan Cabinet is almost complete and we can now take a comprehensive look at the implications of President Jonathan’s selections. The cabinet has a small, but strong policy core in Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Mr Olusegun Agangan, Professor Barth Nnaji and Dr Shamsudeen Usman. It seems clear that Okonjo-Iweala, World Bank managing director, and Harvard/MIT graduate, will take the finance ministry and head the government’s economic management team, a role which she is excellently prepared for and which she carried out most successfully under ex-President Obasanjo between 2003 and 2006. Her qualifications and commitment are impeccable and she brings a much-needed extra in terms of values. It is an appointment I support without reservation.

I had wondered about the allocation of responsibilities between Okonjo-Iweala and Aganga were both to be in the cabinet. It now seems clear that Aganga has in effect accepted a “demotion” from finance to a so-called “Commerce and Investment” ministry. Contrary to some opinions, I think Aganga did well in the last one year and the delivery of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority Act would be his defining contribution to Nigerian fiscal and macroeconomic management, a development of major policy and historical significance. His undoing has been inability to sell his policies and actions to the Nigerian people and perhaps an insular communication approach. Professor Barth Nnaji is the third element of the policy tripod, and his appointment is also an excellent one. I believe the power road map, if faithfully executed will create a private sector controlled electricity sector, and generate the industry structure and investments required to bridge our massive electricity deficit.

Dr Shamsudeen Usman will provide some continuity having occupied both the finance and national planning portfolios in the last four years. It is unfortunate that a gentleman that could have provided new thinking in the agriculture sector, one Dr Akinwumni Ayo Adesina, a globally-reputed agriculture expert currently at the Rockefeller Foundation may have been frustrated away as the position appeared to have been “zoned” somewhere else! There are a few interesting profiles coming into the team-Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru who should take the external affairs ministry; Ms Jumoke Akinjide who has decent qualifications and experience; Bolaji Abdullahi who reportedly excelled as Kwara State Education Commissioner; ex-Accenture Country Manager Mrs Omobola Johnson; and Dr Muhammed Pate. We wait to see what ministries they will occupy and what tangible achievements they will record in government.

Beyond these, there is little that is exciting about the emerging Cabinet!!! Some of Jonathan’s choices are controversial-Dieziani Allison-Maduekwe due to the barrage of allegations against her and reservations of industry incumbents-as I wrote last week however, it remains to be seen whether the allegations are truth or blackmail; PDP Acting National Chairman, Dr Bello Haliru Muhammed, who was named in the Siemens bribery scandal; and transport minister, Mallam Yusuf Suleiman who faced a corruption prosecution during his earlier tenure. Some of the returnees are acceptable and will now have to prove over a longer period their relevance as members of a cabinet purporting to achieve “transformation”-Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu in health; Professor Ruquayattu Rufai in education; Labaran Maku in information and communication; Emeka Wogu in Labour; and Mohammed Bello Adoke who returned as Attorney-General and Justice Minister. Many of the new appointees will also be expected to justify their inclusion in Jonathan’s team-Mr Edem Duke; Professor Ita Okon Bassey Ewa; Alhaji Bukar Tijani (who is expected to get the agriculture portfolio); Professor Viola Onwuliri; Erelu Olusola Obada; Ms Ama Pepple; Dr Yerima Ngama; and Ambassador Bashir Yuguda.

The rest of the nominees fall into two categories-those who appointments represent political (or friendly) pay-offs or those who are yet unknown quantities and difficult to characterize. In the political category, you can list Senator Bala Mohammed (FCT); Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (FCT, State); Architect Mike Onelemen; Mr Nyeson Wike; Comrade Abba Moro; Alhaji Musa Sada (mines and steel); Dr Samuel Ortom; Senator Idris Umar; Princess Stella Oduah (aviation); Elder Godsday Orubebe (Niger-Delta); and Hajia Zainab Maina (women affairs). There are four nominees whose names do not ring any bells-Sarah Reng Ochekpe; Hadiza Ibrahim Mai-lafiya; Nurudeen Muhammed and Hajia Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi!!! The president also named several special advisers and personal aides, of whom Dr Reuben Abati (media and publicity); Dr Tunji Olagunju (NEPAD); Senator Joy Emordi (National Assembly); Professor Dan Adebiyi (Special Duties?) and Dr Pius Osanyikanmi (foreign affairs) may be expected to make some difference.

Overall the cabinet composition is underwhelming and is a mixed bag of average performers; political chieftains and/or their nominees; gender balancing; and a few strong people chosen on the basis of their performance and pedigree. Beyond the policy core, there is very little to be excited about, and one can only hope that policy team would be backed with the necessary political will to thrive in what is likely to be hostile territory!!! Well let’s hope the government can now settle down to “transformation”!!! Nigerians are waiting.