Exclusive: Full List Of Tinubu’s Inaugural 1999 Cabinet Members

Tinubu is widely credited for appointing a team of capable and loyal individuals into his first cabinet, many of whom have maintained strong ties with him over the years.

Tinubu’s First Set of Commissioners (1999)

1. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) – Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; later Vice President of Nigeria (2015–2023). He had a political falling out with Tinubu after contesting against him in the APC Presidential primary.

2. Rauf Aregbesola – Commissioner for Works; later Governor of Osun State (2010–2018) and Minister of Interior (2019–2023). Once Tinubu’s closest ally, their relationship strained due to multiple factors in Osun and Abuja politics.

3. Alhaji Lai Mohammed – Chief of Staff; later Minister of Information (2015–2023). He eventually joined the “Abuja boys” and politically distanced himself from Tinubu.

4. Leo Babatunde Dasilva (Late) – Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

5. Oladele Alake – Commissioner for Information & Strategy; now Minister for Solid Minerals and a trusted ally of Tinubu.

6. Arc. Kayode Anibaba – Commissioner for Environment and Physical Planning; left to join the PDP after a fallout with Tinubu.

7. Chief Mumin Adio Badmus (Late) – Commissioner for Education and later for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs.

8. Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) – Commissioner for Special Duties; ACN/APC National Legal Adviser, AMCON Chairman, now Chairman of a Federal University Governing Council. He briefly fell out with Tinubu but later realigned.

9. Olayemi Cardoso – Commissioner for Economy, Physical Planning & Budget; now CBN Governor.

10. Olusegun Dawodu – Commissioner for Sport & Youth Development; later held the same post under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

11. Olawale Edun – Commissioner for Finance; now Minister of Finance and a trusted ally of Tinubu.

12. Chief Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi – Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; now primarily in private business.

13. Chief Abiola Johnson (Late) – Commissioner for Transport; later fell out with Tinubu. Son of the first Minister for Sport, Chief J.M. Johnson.

14. Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson (Late) – Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Job Creation; later APC state and zonal woman leader, and Executive Director of NSITF. A strong and trusted ally until her death.

15. Senator Musiliu Obanikoro – Commissioner for Home Affairs; later Senator for Lagos Central. Defected to PDP, became their Lagos governorship candidate, served as Ambassador and Minister of State for Defence under Jonathan, and later realigned with Tinubu.

16. Asipa Kaoli Olusanya – Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative; a trusted ally. His daughter is currently Commissioner for Agriculture in Lagos State.

17. Dr. Adeleke Pitan – Commissioner for Health; briefly aligned with the “Abuja boys” but remains a strong ally.

18. Olanrewaju Saka Senayon – Commissioner for Rural Development; now less active politically.

19. Chief Mrs. Teju Phillips – Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; daughter of Ogboni Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez, key supporter of Tinubu’s 1999 governorship. Currently Chairman of LASACO Assurance PLC.

20. Prof. Idowu Shobowale – Special Adviser for Education; technocrat who contributed to Lagos education reforms and later established the School of Mass Communication at LASU before moving to Olabisi Onabanjo University.

21. Arc. Olanrewaju Towry Coker – Commissioner for Housing; technocrat who contributed to Lagos housing policy, later returned to private business.

22. Femi Obayomi Davies – Special Adviser for Local Government Administration; former Executive Chairman of Badagry LG, later House of Reps member. Defected to PDP but returned to Tinubu’s political fold.

23. Chief (Sen) Solagbade Olufemi Lanlehin – Special Adviser for Political and Legislative Matters; former House of Reps and Senator. Briefly fell out with Tinubu but later realigned and supported his presidential ambition.

24. Rafiu Babatunde Tinubu (Late) – Head of Service, Lagos State; closely related to Tinubu. Fell out with him before passing away five years ago.