With the submission of an additional 19 names to the Senate as minister-nominees, President Bola Tinubu has named those that would form his cabinet. Are the youth adequately represented? TOPE SUNDAY asks.
On May 29, the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his inaugural speech, pledged among many things to carry women and youths along in his fledgling administration, saying that they would feature prominently.
“My administration must create meaningful opportunities for our youths. We shall honour our campaign commitment of one million new jobs in the digital economy’’, he was quoted to have said.
Also, in his manifesto document titled “Renewed Hope 2023 – Action Plan for a Better Nigeria”, he said the law would seek employment of women in all government offices.
According to the manifesto, members of the Federal Executive Council are to reserve certain senior positions for women, while the private sector will be encouraged to do the same.
“Working with the National Assembly, we will aim to pass legislation promoting female employment in all government offices, ministries, and agencies. The goal will be to increase women’s participation in government to at least 35 percent of all governmental positions. This legislation shall also mandate the federal executive (particularly the cabinet and core senior advisers) to reserve a minimum number of senior positions for women. Private institutions shall be strongly encouraged to do likewise,” the document read partly.
The minister-nominees
Last week, President Tinubu sent 28 names as the ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, out of whom nine were women, and a noticeable youth.
The nominees are; Abubakar Momoh. Amb. Yusuf Maitama, Architect Ahmed Dangiwa, Hanatu Musawa, Chief Uche Nnaji, Beta Edu, Doris Aniche, David Umahi, Nyesom Wike, Mohamed Badaru, Nasir Elrufai, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Nkiru onyejiocha, and Olubumi Ojo.
Others are; Stella Okotete, Uju Kennedy, Bello Mohammed Goroyo, Dele Alake, Lateef Fagbemi, Mohammed Idris, Wale Edun, Adebayo Adebayo Adelabu; Imma Suleiman, Ali Pate, Joseph Utsev, Abubakar Kyari, John Eno, and Sani Abubakar Danladi.
However, the president on Wednesday forwarded additional 19 names to the Senate as ministerial nominees, making the total nominees to be 47 now.
The new list comprised the former governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, and his counterparts from Plateau State, Simeon Lalong, and Zamfara State Bello Matawalle make the list.
Other nominees are Ahmed Tijani Kwazo, Bosun Tijani, Tunji Alausa, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Atiku Bagudu, Bello Mattawale, Ibrahim Gaidam, Lola Ade John and Senator Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi. While Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo from FCT, Dr. Mariam Shetty, Senator Ibrahim Geidam, Sen. Heineken Lopobiri, Sen. Alkali Saheed, Shuaibu Audu, and Taheer Mamman, also made the list.
The breakdown
A curious look at the 47 names forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, nine women, including Beta Edu, Doris Aniche, Nkiru Onyejiocha, Stella Okotete, Uju Kennedy, Hanatu Musawa, Imma Suleiman, Lola Ade John, and Mariam Shetty.
According to the available information only Beta Edu falls below age 40, and can be regarded as a youth among other female ministerial nominees.
Background checks by this reporter revealed that she was born in 1986, while Doris Aniche was born in 1981, Nkiru Onyejiocha (1969); Stella Okotete (1984); Uju Kennedy (1978); Hanatu Musawa (around 1980); and Imma Suleiman (1980). However, the ages of the duo of Lola Ade John and Mariam Shetty could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.
Also, in the male category, only Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, a ministerial nominee from Ondo state is 41 years old.
Reactions
Speaking on the development, a public affairs analyst, Comrade Sunday Alifia, said the youth affirmative action as one of the cardinal points in Tinubu’s campaign agenda is missing from his list.
He said: “The youth’s affirmative action as one of the cardinal points in Tinubu’s campaign agenda is missing out in the 28 ministerial list already undergoing screening on the Senate floor. The handwriting on the wall on the youth representation in this government is shaking as the Ministerial list so far released has been hijacked by former governors, senators, and House of Representatives who he believed worked for his presidency.
“Ministerial nominees in the past have never been on merit or based on qualifications, but rather mostly on sentiment and personal interest and of course, the reason why many of those appointed based on those principles underperformed in their Ministerial assignment.
“Angry Nigerians who observed the latest development opined that the ministerial position has become a compensation slot for ex-governors, Senators, and House of Representatives rather than being a list of technocrats who could make some difference. The position of the youth is always sold out during the campaign when many of them are used for a token and later dumb when the real-time comes like this.
“Well, Tinubu’s second list of ministers is expected to address these political dimensions to forestall impulsion in the party and campaign structure. So, it might be too early to completely nail the list as not supporting the youths affirmative. All hope is not lost. Let us keep our fingers crossed.”
On his part, Mr. Shukuroh Tiamiyu, a public affairs analyst, said the president has not shown the will to allow at least 30% of the government’s jobs to be filled by individuals under the age of 35, adding that he was not satisfied with the number of youths that made the ministerial list.
“To enhance the number of young people serving in government, the Youth 30% Affirmative Action policy has been proposed. It suggests that at least 30% of the government’s jobs be filled by individuals under the age of 35. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches are included in this. President Tinubu hasn’t yet made any official plan to put this strategy into effect, but the fact that he named some younger persons to the list of ministers may be a sign that he approves of the idea.
“The bitter truth is I’m not satisfied with the number of the youth that made the list, it can limit the effectiveness of the youth by 30% Affirmative Action policy and also increase youth participation and representation in government, which is essential for Nigeria’s future. I think the way forward should be to increase the number of youth on the list,” he said.
Mr. Olamilekan Saheed, another analyst, however, recommended that youths must be allowed to also contribute their quota to policy-making and implementation in the country.
Saheed said: “The 30% demand from the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) is beautiful as the youth deserve inclusion in the sailing of their country. The youth have cogent roles to perform in our contemporary digitalised society. Industrious youths must be allowed to also contribute their quota to policy-making and implementation.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acknowledged the contribution of the youth during his acceptance speech when he claimed to have heard their ‘voice loud and clear’ through the outcome of the poll, but it’s yet to be seen whether he truly heard them clearly or it’s just a speech to raise the euphoria of that moment.
“From the appointment so far, it’s unclear what the president’s plans are for the youth in terms of inclusion into his administration. Successive governments in Nigeria have taken youth inclusion in governance with laxity with little or no priority given to the section of the society. Some previous regimes that had youths in their governments did that for the camera because none were given key positions in those administrations.
“Youths must be given a key and substantial position in the administration to also prove their worth as a cogent part and future of the polity. So far, the youths in this current administration are insubstantial. Serious attention and emphasis should be placed on this aspect of gender balance concerning UN standards.”
