Nigeria’s president reshuffles his cabinet during the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has fired five ministers and appointed seven new ones in a major cabinet reshuffle aimed at making his administration more efficient, his office said Wednesday.

The shake-up comes during worsening economic hardship and frustration with the administration in Africa’s most populous country.

Tinubu appointed new ministers for humanitarian and poverty reduction, trade and investment, labor and livestock development along with junior ministers for foreign affairs, education and housing, the statement said.

The ministers for education, tourism, women’s affairs and youth development and the junior minister for housing were fired.

Tinubu took office last year and introduced reforms meant to cut government spending and shore up dwindling foreign investments.

But more than a year later, Nigeria’s inflation rate is at a 28-year high and the naira currency is at record lows against the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to several mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds of others were arrested at protest demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people.

Despite being one of the top crude oil producers in Africa, Nigeria remains one of the world’s poorest countries. Chronic corruption means the lifestyle of its public officials rarely mirrors that of the general population, while medical professionals often strike to protest meager wages.

Last year, Tinubu approved millions of dollars in spending for his presidential yacht and sport utility vehicles for his wife and top government officials.