#BuhariAppoints: The 40 most powerful federal positions in the Buhari administration

The task of ranking the most powerful federal appointments in a democracy is tricky. Some positions come with their own power, while others depend on the disposition of the President, as well as the occupant of that office.

What is not in doubt, however, is that every one of the following positions is critical to the way Nigeria runs. Some thought has been given to ranking, but only up to a point.

How right or wrong are we? Have your say in the comments.

And so, without further ado, here are Nigeria’s 40 most powerful federal positions.

  1. Minister of Finance

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? This is the most powerful appointment the President has to make. The holder is responsible for controlling the finance of the country.

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  1. Group Managing Director, NNPC

Appointed by Buhari? Yes. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu.

Why? For one of the biggest oil producers in the world, the head of its National oil company will carry enormous influence.

  1. CBN Governor

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Responsible for the nation’s monetary policy and can only be removed by the senate.

  1. Minister of Petroleum

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Responsible for the smooth running of Nigeria’s petroleum sector which is currently in urgent need of reform.

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  1. Chief of Defence Staff

Appointed by Buhari? Yes.  Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin.

Why? The coordinator of all three armed services, a role that has only grown in importance because of Boko Haram.

  1. National Security Adviser

Appointed by Buhari? Yes. Babagana Monguno.

Why? Responsible for briefing the President daily on current and emerging security challenges both internal and external.

  1. Director General, Department of State Security (DSS)

Appointed by Buhari? Yes. Lawal Daura.

Why? Responsible for the collection of intelligence within Nigeria borders.

Major-General-T.Y.-Buratai

  1. Chief of Army Staff

Appointed by Buhari? Yes. T.Y. Buratai.

Why? Responsible for all of Nigeria’s infantry.

  1. Chief of Air Staff

Appointed by Buhari? Yes. Sadiq Abubakar

Why? Responsible for all of Nigeria’s Air Force.

  1. Presidential Chief of Staff

Appointed by Buhari? Yes. Abba Kyari.

Why? The gatekeeper of the President has the final say on all happenings in the Presidential villas and the coordination of all activities concerning the President.

  1. Chief of Naval Staff

Appointed by Buhari? Yes. Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.

Why? Responsible for the safety of Nigeria’s territorial waters and all assets therein.

  1. Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)

Appointed by Buhari? Yes. Calistus Nwabueze Obi.

Why? A powerful revenue collection agency responsible for maritime waters.

  1. Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service

Appointed by Buhari? Yes. Hammed Ibrahim Ali.

Why? Another revenue collecting agency responsible for the collection of tariffs on imports and exports as well as preventing the entry of contraband materials into the country.

  1. Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service

Appointed by Buhari? Yes. Kure Martin Abeshi.

Why? Responsible for the movement of people in and out of the nations’ borders and with the rise of terrorism, a crucial role to play in keeping out terrorists.

  1. Chief of Defence Intelligence

Appointed by Buhari? Yes. Monday Rice Morgan

Why? Responsible for providing an efficient system of obtaining military intelligence for the Nigerian Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence. It helps promotes Nigeria’s Defence Policy, enhances military cooperation with other countries, protects the lives of Nigerian citizens, and maintains the territorial integrity of Nigeria

  1. Minister of Works and Housing

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Nigeria’s large infrastructure and housing gap, as well as the huge allocation to that ministry makes this a very powerful position.

  1. Minister of Power

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Supervises all aspects of the conceptualisation and implementation of power policy.

  1. Director General, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? This agency is responsible for the regulation of Nigeria’s power sector, which is critical for national development.

  1. Head of Service of the Federation

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? He sits on top of Nigeria’s civil service structure.

  1. Chairman, National Population Commission

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? It has powers to collect, analyze and disseminate population/demographic data in the country. It is also mandated to undertake demographic sample surveys, compile, collate and publish migration and civil registration statistics as well as monitor the country’s Population Policy.

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  1.   Inspector General of Police

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Responsible for the security of lives and property within Nigeria’s borders.

  1. Minister of Defence

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Responsible for oversight regarding the allocation of resources for the nation’s defence infrastructure.

  1. Minister of Education

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Education is the foundation of a nation’s development, and the minister in charge of it has a duty to shape policy that guides education at all levels.

  1. Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Although it shouldn’t be, the influence of this role still fluctuates depending on who is President. However, under a President with a strong distaste for corruption, the person who occupies this role will be very powerful indeed.

  1. Minister of Justice/Attorney General

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? This minister is ultimately responsible for all federal prosecution cases as well as upholding the rule of law.

  1. Minister of Health

Appointed by Buhari? Not yet appointed.

Why? Responsible for the shaping of healthcare policy at all levels.

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  1. Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

Appointed by Buhari? Yes. Amina Zakari.

Why? A famous person once said it is not they that vote who matter, it is those who count the votes, enough said.

  1. Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)

Appointed by Buhari? Yes. Habibu Abdullahi.

Why? The job of this agency is to ensure the speedy movement of goods in and out of our ports; this increases economic activity and consequently revenue for the country.

  1. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Productivity

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Nigeria’s unemployment problem makes this a very critical position. The occupier has to be constantly thinking about how to put Nigeria’s youth to work.

  1. Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Universal Basic Education Commission was established to eradicate illiteracy, ignorance and poverty as well as stimulate and accelerate national development, political consciousness and national integration.

  1. Minister of Solid Minerals

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? We are the principal organ for information, policy and regulatory oversight in the solid mineral sector in Nigeria.

  1. Minister of Internal Affairs

Appointed by Buhari? No  

Why? Responsible for fostering and ensuring the maintenance of internal security and citizenship integrity for the promotion of good governance of the nation as well as conducts Nigeria’s internal policy and international relations and other duties related to foreign countries and Nigerians abroad.

  1. Minister of Aviation

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Responsible for regulating air travel and aviation services in Nigeria as well as formulation and management of the government’s aviation policies in Nigeria. It is directly responsible for overseeing air transportation, airport development and maintenance, provision of aviation infrastructural services and other needs.

  1. Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Responsible for inculcate discipline in Nigerian youths by instilling in them a tradition of industry at work, and of patriotic and loyal service to Nigeria in any situation they may find themselves as well as develop common ties among the Nigerian youths and promote national unity and integration.

  1. Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Nigeria currently faces many emergencies, man-made like the Boko Haram insurgency, and natural, like floods. As the impact of climate change becomes more prominent in the coming years, this agency will be even more powerful.

  1. Director General, Bank Of Industry

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? This is one of a number of agencies tasked with improving access to finance for businesses that will create jobs and foster enterprise.

  1. Minister of Agriculture

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Regulates agricultural research, agriculture and natural resources, forestry and veterinary research all over Nigeria as well as optimizing agriculture and integrating rural development for the transformation of the Nigerian economy, with a view to attaining food security and positioning Nigeria as a net food exporter for socio-economic development.

  1. Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? It is the main regulatory institution of the Nigerian capital market as well as maintains surveillance over the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) with the mandate of ensuring orderly and equitable dealings in securities, and protecting the market against insider trading abuses.

  1. Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC)

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? The NUC’s job is to make Nigeria’s tertiary education system able to produce quality manpower.

  1. Chairman, National Pilgrims Board

Appointed by Buhari? No

Why? Responsible for licensing, regulating, performing oversight and supervisory functions over other bodies and agencies and for related matters.

One comment

  1. where is the dg of budget federal Republic of Nigeria

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