In a landmark decision, President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) have abolished both the Ministry of Niger Delta and the Ministry of Sports Development. This significant move was revealed on Wednesday during a meeting of the FEC in Abuja, as disclosed by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga via his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
In place of the now-scrapped Niger Delta Ministry, the government has established a new Ministry of Regional Development, which will oversee all regional development commissions across Nigeria. These include the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the North West Development Commission, the South West Development Commission, and the North East Development Commission. This restructuring aims to streamline regional development efforts under one central body, ensuring more coordinated and effective management of these key areas.
Additionally, the responsibilities of the Ministry of Sports Development will now be managed by the National Sports Commission, a body previously created to promote and regulate sports in Nigeria. This shift indicates a move towards greater specialization and focus on sports administration within the country.

The FEC also approved another major change: the Ministry of Tourism has been merged with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy. This merger is expected to consolidate efforts in promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage and boosting the nation’s creative industry, which has been a significant contributor to the economy through film, music, fashion, and tourism.
These decisions mark a new chapter in Tinubu’s administration as he seeks to restructure Nigeria’s federal ministries to improve efficiency and governance. While some sectors welcome the move, there are already growing discussions about how these changes will impact development projects, especially in the Niger Delta, and the sports industry as Nigeria continues to strive for global recognition in both sectors.
The FEC meeting was part of ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to reshape the structure of Nigeria’s ministries, reduce redundancy, and enhance focus on key areas of development across the country.
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