Perform or face dismissal, Tinubu cautions ministers

President Bola Tinubu has issued a stern warning to his ministers and other top government officials, saying that they must deliver on their mandates or face dismissal. He made this statement at the opening of a three-day cabinet retreat in Abuja on Wednesday.

The retreat, themed “Delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda”, was aimed at reviewing the performance of the ministers and other functionaries as well as setting new targets and priorities for the next year.

Tinubu announced the establishment of a Results Delivery Unit, headed by former managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala-Usman, to coordinate and monitor the progress of the cabinet members. He said that he would sign a performance bond with each minister and permanent secretary, and that anyone who failed to meet the expectations would be sacked.

“If you are performing, there is nothing to fear. If you missed the objective, we review; if there is no performance, you leave us. No one is an island, and the buck stops on my desk,” Tinubu said.

He also urged the ministers to be innovative and proactive in addressing the challenges facing the country, such as poverty, insecurity, climate change, and economic recovery. He said that his administration was committed to lifting 50 million Nigerians out of poverty and turning the nation’s population into an asset.

He reminded the ministers of their responsibility to serve the people who entrusted their mandate to him and to work harmoniously with their supervisors and colleagues. He also advised them to be intellectually curious and not afraid to debate or challenge ideas.

He said that he was ready to take responsibility for any mistakes or failures of his administration but also expected them to take credit for any successes or achievements.

“I have taken a young lady, the very dynamic Hadiza Usman, to head that delivery unit. If you have any complaints about her, see me. If you are ready to work with her, stay there. Delivery yes! We must achieve it for the sake of the millions of people,” he said.

He also expressed his confidence in the talents and potential of Nigerians, saying that Nigeria was the biggest intellectually sound country in Africa. He said that he was proud to be a Nigerian and that he was determined to make democracy a lasting reference for the rest of Africa.