The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has carried out a significant cabinet reshuffle, redeploying several commissioners to new ministries in what the administration described as a strategic effort to strengthen governance and consolidate ongoing reforms.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, while briefing journalists at the Old Cabinet Office in Abakaliki shortly after the State Executive Council meeting.
According to him, the reshuffle 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 stated that Governor Nwifuru urged the newly appointed officials to embrace their assignments as a call to selfless service and to actively support the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda.
The restructuring, which cuts across both new and existing cabinet members, was designed to realign ministries for improved efficiency and better service delivery.
As part of the new appointments, Omari Omaka was assigned as Commissioner for Tertiary Education, while Sylvester Nwenu Nwite was posted to head the Ministry of Environment.
A wider reassignment of serving commissioners also took place across several ministries. 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, as Sunday Elechi Inyima moved from the same ministry to the Ministry of Project Monitoring.
Ngozi Obichukwu was reassigned from the Ministry of Aviation to the Ministry of Special Projects, while Magnus Chinedu Nka was moved from Water Resources to Solid Mineral Development. Victor Uzoma Chukwu was transferred from Environment to Water Resources, and Okwu Oko Udu was deployed to head the Ministry of Market Development.
Governor Nwifuru further directed that all handing-over and taking-over processes be completed immediately, setting Tuesday, June 30, 2026, as the deadline.
Several commissioners retained their current positions, including 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 reshuffle was due to poor performance, Omebeh dismissed such claims, insisting the exercise was aimed purely at improving administrative efficiency.
“This is not about non-performance or removing anyone from office.”
“It is about deploying people to ministries where their expertise and experience can be better utilised in the interest of the state,” Omebeh stated.
He further clarified concerns regarding the Ministry of Aviation, noting that it has not been scrapped following the redeployment of Ngozi Obichukwu. According to him, the ministry will continue to function under its existing administrative structure led by the Permanent Secretary, pending further instructions.
Omebeh reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to effective service delivery, adding that the reshuffle is expected to inject fresh energy into governance and improve policy implementation across all sectors in Ebonyi State.
