MORE THAN ten months into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the debate over the federal character of his political appointments continues to generate intense scrutiny—this time amplified by a public apology from the Presidency for a flawed official list that was meant to douse concerns over lopsidedness.
On 3 April 2025, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, released a breakdown of political appointments by geopolitical zones to counter accusations that the President had favoured his home region—the South-West—over others. The list, however, omitted notable figures such as Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, and Kemi Nandap, Comptroller General of Immigration, among others, prompting backlash across social media and political circles.
Dare later admitted the errors, writing via his verified X handle:
“We have noticed a number of errors in the list of appointments tweeted. We are sorry. We will provide an updated list later. Thank you.”
The move followed public criticism by Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South.
In an interview aired on Arise Television, the senator accused Tinubu of violating the federal character principle enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution. That section mandates the fair representation of Nigeria’s diverse regions in the composition of government and its agencies.
“I have the right as a lawmaker and a stakeholder in this government to call out what is wrong,” Ndume said. “These appointments do not reflect Nigeria’s diversity and risk undermining national unity.”
The Presidency, however, countered Ndume’s remarks, calling them “divisive” and “headline-chasing”.
A statement from presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga dismissed the senator’s claims as “rabble-rousing not backed by facts” and urged critics to “engage responsibly”.
According to the appointment list initially released by the Presidency, President Tinubu’s government has appointed the following number of individuals by region since taking office on 29 May 2023:
ALSOREAD: How Nigeria’s Import Ban and Trade Restrictions Are Fueling a Fresh US Tariff Backlash
North West: 35
South West: 29
North Central: 25
North East: 24
South-South: 22
South East: 16
While the North West tops the chart with 35 appointees, the South East remains at the bottom with only 16, further fuelling perceptions of marginalisation in a region already known for its grievances over political underrepresentation.
A comparative analysis of appointments by the three most recent administrations—Buhari (2015–2023), Jonathan (2010–2015), and Yar’Adua (2007–2010)—reveals a recurring pattern where certain zones, particularly the North West and South West, receive a disproportionate share of strategic political roles. However, Tinubu’s administration has been under closer scrutiny, given the current socio-economic challenges and rising ethnic tensions in parts of the country.
Among the most recent appointees under Tinubu’s administration are:
Ayo Sotinrin (South West): Appointed Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, he led SAO Capital in securing over $750 million in infrastructure funding, including the $200 million Akure Water Supply Project.
Bashir Bayo Ojulari (North Central): Newly named Group CEO of NNPC Ltd, he previously held a top position at Renaissance Africa Energy Company.
Ahmadu Musa Kida (North East): Appointed NNPC’s non-executive chairman, bringing engineering expertise and international experience from Paris-based Institut Français du Pétrole.
Ibrahim Oloriegbe (North Central): Now Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), he holds degrees from Ahmadu Bello University and Oxford.
Felix Morka (South-South): National Publicity Secretary of the APC, appointed Chairman of NTA.
Fatuhu Mohammed Buhari (North West): Heads the National Agricultural Seed Council, with strong ties to Katsina politics.
Binta Masi Garba (North East): Named Pro-Chancellor of a new federal university in Ekiti State.
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (North West): Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia.
Prof. Fatiu Arogundade (South West): Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences in Ogun State.
Prof. Attahiru Jega (North West): Former INEC Chairman appointed to lead Presidential Livestock Reform.
Despite the inclusion of notable figures from most regions, critics argue that the South East’s presence remains underwhelming both in number and in the strategic weight of roles assigned.
As of April 2025, only 16 federal appointees have emerged from the zone under Tinubu’s presidency, a figure that continues to stir debate among political commentators and civil society organisations.
The apology issued by the Presidency, while commendable for its rare public acknowledgment of error, has done little to reverse perceptions of ethnic imbalance in governance. Analysts note that the initial failure to include names like Femi Gbajabiamila’s—arguably one of the President’s most prominent aides—may signal a deeper issue of poor coordination or political calculation, rather than a simple clerical mistake.
As Nigeria approaches the two-year mark of the Tinubu administration, the challenge of national inclusion remains a critical test. Public trust, especially in marginalised regions, hinges on the perception that the government is truly representative of the country’s plural identity.
Whether the Presidency’s promised “updated list” will correct the omissions and improve the federal character balance remains to be seen.
