Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said that his superior has never ascribed himself the title of Minister of Petroleum.
President Tinubu appointed Ekperipe Ekpo as minister of state for petroleum resources (gas), and Heineken Lokpobiri as minister of state, petroleum resources (oil) in 2023.
Speaking on Channels Television on Sunday, regarding the recent cabinet reshuffle, Onanuga said Tinubu never saw himself as the petroleum minister. He said the media conferred him with the title.
” You people in the media gave him that position. There are two ministers of petroleum. As far as the president is concerned, there are two ministers there and one of them focuses on gas, “he said.
” This present government found that in the past, Nigeria neglected the gas sector. Nigeria is more of a gas country than an oil country.
” Former president Obasanjo recently said he made a mistake by not focusing on gas and Tinubu is rectifying that.”
In the previous administration led by Muhammadu Buhari, the former president appointed himself as the minister of petroleum resources.
During his initial term, Buhari designated Ibe Kachikwu as the minister of state for petroleum resources. Timipre Sylva succeeded Kachikwu in the second term.