In a bid to counter mounting criticism from prominent northern figures such as former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Senator Ali Ndume, the Presidency has released a comprehensive list of President Bola Tinubu’s appointments since assuming office.
The list, unveiled by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, details 134 federal appointments across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, revealing a complex picture of regional distribution that has ignited fresh debates about fairness, competence, and ethnic favoritism.
The data shows that the North collectively secured 71 appointments, slightly edging out the South’s 63. Breaking it down further, the North West leads with 36 positions, followed by the North Central with 25, and the North East with 24. In the South, the South West dominates with 29 appointments, while the South South secured 22, and the South East trails significantly with only 16.
The Presidency has touted this as evidence of Tinubu’s commitment to national unity, with Dare emphasizing in a statement that “President Tinubu is a detribalised leader” who prioritizes merit over tribal affiliations.
However, a closer look at the list reveals a stark reality: while the North may have a numerical advantage, the South West—Tinubu’s home region—holds a disproportionate share of the country’s most powerful and influential positions.
Key roles such as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy (Wale Edun), Central Bank Governor (Olayemi Cardoso), Chief of Army Staff (Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja), Inspector General of Police (Kayode Egbetokun), and Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Olanipekun Olukoyede) all hail from the South West. Notably, the region has no Ministers of State—junior ministerial roles—indicating that its appointees occupy only senior, high-impact positions.
Critics argue this concentration of key portfolios in the South West undermines claims of equitable distribution. “The South West holds all the key positions,” observed X user @Udoh_D
in a widely circulated post. “SW region has no Ministers of State; all appointees are full senior ministers. Compare that to 16 for the South East—mostly minor roles. It’s clear where the power lies.”
The South East’s paltry 16 appointments have drawn particular outrage, with many accusing Tinubu of bigotry against the region.
Unlike the South West’s commanding roles, South Eastern appointees are largely relegated to less influential positions, such as Minister of State for Finance (Dr. Doris Anite Uzoka), Minister of State for Labour (Nkeiru Onyejiocha), and a handful of special assistants and managing directors of lesser-known agencies.
The highest-profile appointment from the region, Minister of Works (Sen. Dave Umahi), stands out as an exception rather than the rule.
Senator Ndume, a vocal critic from Borno South, has repeatedly warned that Tinubu’s appointments violate the federal character principle enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution, predicting political repercussions if the imbalance persists.
The Presidency has fired back, with Dare arguing that Tinubu’s selections are based on “merit, integrity, and geographical spread,” not “tribal arithmetic.” Yet, the list’s release appears to be a calculated move to appease northern elites like Ndume and El-Rufai, who have expressed discontent over perceived marginalization.
