Former presidential aide Laolu Akande has called on President Bola Tinubu to use the impending cabinet reshuffle as a strategic opportunity to bring in transformative leaders capable of tackling Nigeria’s mounting challenges. Speaking during the “My Take” segment of the popular Channels TV program Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Sunday, Akande emphasized that Tinubu must assemble a team of innovative minds, much like the one he formed during his tenure as Lagos State Governor from 1999 to 2007.
Akande’s remarks followed a recent announcement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that President Tinubu plans to reshuffle his cabinet soon. Akande sees this as a critical moment for Tinubu to emulate his successful governance strategies from Lagos on a national scale.
Akande urged the president to reflect on the bold reforms he implemented as Lagos State Governor, which transformed key sectors and set the state on a path of sustainable development. “The cabinet reshuffle is an opportunity,” Akande stated. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should see this as a chance to appoint competent, transformative leaders who can steer the nation through its current difficulties.”
One of the standout achievements of Tinubu’s time as governor was his reform of the judiciary in Lagos, which Akande highlighted as a model for the rest of the country. Tinubu’s administration significantly improved the welfare of judges, which helped curb corruption and restore public confidence in the judicial system. The establishment of the Office of the Public Defender, a key initiative aimed at providing free legal services to those in need, has since been adopted by several other states in Nigeria.
“Based on his records in Lagos, there are at least three transformative imprints the president left when he was governor, which we believe he should replicate at the federal level,” Akande said. “A reformed judiciary with better welfare for judges, the fight against corruption within the judiciary, and the creation of the Public Defender’s Office — all of these were groundbreaking reforms that made a lasting impact.”
Akande also pointed to Tinubu’s success in expanding local governance in Lagos, noting that the establishment of additional local governments allowed governance to reach the grassroots level. This decentralized approach helped deliver essential services more efficiently and created new opportunities for local development. “He established a local government system that took the government directly to the people,” Akande said, underscoring the importance of replicating such reforms at the national level to address governance gaps across Nigeria.
Another key achievement of Tinubu’s administration in Lagos was his innovative approach to boosting Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). By implementing far-reaching fiscal policies, Tinubu’s administration increased the state’s financial capacity and made Lagos less dependent on federal allocations. This financial autonomy enabled the state to pursue an aggressive development agenda.
Akande believes that this model of fiscal self-reliance is exactly what Nigeria needs at the national level. “How did then-Governor Tinubu manage to achieve these reforms? He assembled a top-notch team of competent individuals who had the public interest at heart,” Akande explained. He added that many of those in Tinubu’s administration were not only experts in their fields but also key contributors to the master plans developed for various sectors of governance.
However, Akande expressed concern that the current federal cabinet is too large and filled with individuals who may lack the expertise or dedication necessary to lead the country through its challenges. He urged the president to prioritize competence over political patronage, warning that the country cannot afford to have ministers who are “learning on the job.”
“This is no time for ministers to be learning on the job! Right now, there are too many ‘deadbeats’ in the cabinet, and it’s also too large and unwieldy,” Akande said. He stressed that Nigeria’s economic woes, including inflation, unemployment, and insecurity, demand urgent and effective leadership.
Akande argued that the president must surround himself with trusted advisors and cabinet members who can challenge him when necessary, just as he did during his time as governor. “When President Tinubu was governor, he had a Chief of Staff who got things done, trusted aides who could challenge him for his own good and the good of Lagos State. Where are such individuals in this current presidency?” Akande asked pointedly.
As Nigeria grapples with economic and security challenges, Akande urged President Tinubu to seize this cabinet reshuffle as an opportunity to appoint visionary leaders who can implement bold and effective policies. According to Akande, the president needs to build a team that understands the gravity of the nation’s challenges and is committed to transformative change.
“We need a president at this time who will appoint transformative-minded people in key sectors, and this cabinet reshuffling is the perfect opportunity to make that happen,” Akande concluded. “The president’s ability to assemble a competent, dedicated team will determine the success of his administration in navigating the country’s current difficulties.”
