In a move calculated to shock and surprise, President Muhammadu Buhari last night, reduced federal ministries from 42 to 25, thus scrapping 17 ministries, which have now been merged with others.

This is in fulfillment of the All Progressives Congress (APC) promise to cut down the cost of government. Buhari had earlier contemplated a drastic cut to 19 or 20 ministries but later saw reason to spare some ministries.

It was gathered that one of the new ministries is Information and Culture. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation was until yesterday a stand-alone ministry while the Information Ministry was also a separate ministry.

Another new ministry is that of Budget and National Planning. Before Tuesday, the Budget Office of the Federation was an agency under the Ministry of Finance while National Planning was a stand-alone ministry.

The ministries of Works and Housing were also merged. While the Ministry of Works was a stand-alone ministry, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development was a separate ministry.

Meanwhile, the long wait will finally come to an end today as Buhari’s 36 ministers-designate take oath of office at the Presidential Villa.

Going by the plans of the Presidency, the ceremony may not be an elaborate one, as each minister-designate is allowed two guests.

President Buhari during the three-day ministerial retreat held from Nov. 5 told the ministers-designate to be change agents, emphasising the commitment of his administration to bringing the change promised during campaign to Nigerians.

He said the time had come for the APC-led government to demonstrate its commitment to Nigerians by leading by example. The President also urged the ministers-designate to adhere to the rule of law.

•Photo shows a cross section of the ministers during last week’s retreat in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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