The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has approved a major cabinet reshuffle, redeploying several commissioners to new ministries in what the state government described as a strategic move to strengthen governance and improve service delivery.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Old Cabinet Office, Abakaliki, after the State Executive Council meeting.
The shake-up followed the swearing-in of two new commissioners, Omari Omaka and Sylvester Nwenu Nwite, as well as the inauguration of Felix Onyekachi Njoku as Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mobilisation.
Omebeh said Governor Nwifuru charged the new appointees to see their appointments as a call to selfless service and to contribute meaningfully to the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda.
According to him, Omari Omaka was appointed Commissioner for Tertiary Education, while Sylvester Nwenu Nwite was deployed to head the Ministry of Environment.
He added that the redeployment affected both newly appointed and serving commissioners, with key ministries realigned to improve administrative efficiency.
Under the new arrangement, Chidiebere Onyia was moved from the Ministry of Solid Mineral Development to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, while Ajuka Obasi Nwogo was transferred from the Ministry of Market Development to the Ministry of Skill Acquisition.
Prince Richard Idike was redeployed from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to the Ministry of Capital City and Urban Development, while Sunday Elechi Inyima moved from the Ministry of Capital City and Urban Development to the Ministry of Project Monitoring.
Ngozi Obichukwu was shifted from the Ministry of Aviation to the Ministry of Special Projects, while Magnus Chinedu Nka was moved from the Ministry of Water Resources to the Ministry of Solid Mineral Development.
Victor Uzoma Chukwu was transferred from the Ministry of Environment to the Ministry of Water Resources, while Okwu Oko Udu was formally redeployed to head the Ministry of Market Development.
Governor Nwifuru directed all affected commissioners to complete their handing-over and taking-over processes immediately.
According to the government, the exercise must be concluded not later than the close of work on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Several commissioners retained their portfolios. They include Ben Uruchi Odoh, Justice; Ikeuwa Omebeh, Information and State Orientation; Stanley Ogbuewu, Culture and Tourism; Donatus Ilang, Primary and Secondary Education; Elechi Nnanna Elechi, Trade and Investment; Jude Okpor, Rural Development; Oguzor Offia Nwali, Commerce and Industry; Solomon Azi, Grants and Donor Agencies; Collins Emeka Igboke, Transportation; and Chinwe Deborah Okah, Budget and Planning.
Responding to questions on whether the cabinet shake-up was caused by poor performance, Omebeh dismissed the claim, saying the exercise was meant to reposition the administration for greater efficiency.
“This is not about non-performance or removing anyone from office,” he said.
“It is about deploying people to ministries where their expertise and experience can be better utilised in the interest of the state.”
Omebeh explained that the governor considered the professional backgrounds, experience and comparative advantages of members of the State Executive Council before approving the redeployments.
The commissioner also clarified that the Ministry of Aviation had not been scrapped following the redeployment of Ngozi Obichukwu.
He said the ministry would continue to operate under its existing administrative structure, led by the Permanent Secretary, pending further directives from the governor.
Omebeh added that the Nwifuru administration remained committed to effective service delivery, stressing that the reshuffle was expected to inject fresh energy into governance and enhance policy implementation across sectors in the state.
