The proposal currently under review by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review seeks to amend the 1999 Nigerian Constitution by limiting the number of ministers the president can appoint to 37.
The bill, which aims to streamline the Federal Executive Council, is sponsored by representatives from the Darazo/Ganjuwa and Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri Federal Constituencies of Bauchi and Borno states, respectively.
The bill specifically targets Section 147(1) of the Constitution, proposing that the president be allowed to establish a maximum of 37 ministerial offices. This comes in response to concerns over the growing cost of governance and the potential inefficiency caused by overlapping duties among ministers. Currently, the Federal Executive Council under President Bola Tinubu consists of 45 ministers, including both substantive ministers and Ministers of State, a configuration that has drawn criticism for its perceived inefficiencies.
A key point raised by the bill’s proponents, including Bauchi lawmaker Mansur Soro, is the need to reduce the number of ministers per state and ensure greater efficiency in government operations. Soro expressed that, in his view, one minister per state should suffice, with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also represented. He further questioned the fairness of the current system, which allows some states, like Ogun, to have multiple ministers while others have just one.
Moreover, the proposal is seen as a means to address the issue of unequal representation among states. For instance, Ogun State currently has four ministers, whereas many other states have only one. Soro highlighted that the president already has other avenues, such as key government agencies and parastatals, to appoint technocrats or politicians, thus making additional ministers unnecessary.
In addition to this, the committee is also reviewing a proposal to amend Section 62 of the Constitution to enforce the federal character principle in the selection of National Assembly principal officers. This amendment would ensure that the principle of equity and balance in representation is adhered to in the legislative branch as well.
This ongoing constitutional review could have significant implications for the way Nigeria’s executive and legislative structures are organized, with an emphasis on reducing the cost of governance and enhancing efficiency.
