Fresh Shake-Up In Ebonyi As Nwifuru Announces Cabinet Reshuffle

Francis Nwifuru has approved a comprehensive reshuffle of the Ebonyi State Executive Council, reassigning several commissioners to different ministries as part of efforts to improve governance and service delivery.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The development was announced by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting held at the Old Cabinet Office in Abakaliki.

The cabinet reorganisation came shortly after 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.

According to Omebeh, Governor Nwifuru urged the newly appointed officials to regard their appointments as an opportunity to serve the people diligently and contribute to the successful implementation of the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs.

Under the new arrangement, Omari Omaka will oversee the Ministry of Tertiary Education, while Sylvester Nwenu Nwite has been assigned to the Ministry of Environment.

The reshuffle also affected several serving commissioners. Chidiebere Onyia 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, with Sunday Elechi Inyima moving in the opposite direction to head the Ministry of Project Monitoring.

Ngozi Obichukwu was reassigned from the Ministry of Aviation to the Ministry of Special Projects, while Magnus Chinedu Nka left the Ministry of Water Resources to take charge of the Ministry of Solid Mineral Development.

Victor Uzoma Chukwu now heads the Ministry of Water Resources after leaving the Ministry of Environment, while Okwu Oko Udu has been confirmed as Commissioner for Market Development.

Governor Nwifuru directed all commissioners affected by the reshuffle to complete the handover process immediately, with the exercise scheduled to be concluded before the close of work on June 30, 2026.

Several commissioners retained their existing portfolios, including those in the ministries of Justice, Information and State Orientation, Culture and Tourism, Primary and Secondary Education, Trade and Investment, Rural Development, Commerce and Industry, Grants and Donor Agencies, Transportation, and Budget and Planning.

Addressing speculation that the cabinet changes were prompted by poor performance, Omebeh dismissed the claim, insisting that the exercise was intended to reposition the administration for greater effectiveness rather than punish any commissioner.

He explained that the governor based the redeployments on the professional expertise, experience and comparative strengths of members of the Executive Council to ensure they serve in ministries where they can make the greatest impact.

Omebeh also clarified that the Ministry of Aviation remains operational despite the redeployment of its commissioner. According to him, the ministry will continue to function under the supervision of its Permanent Secretary until further directives are issued by the governor.

He added that the state government expects the reshuffle to strengthen policy implementation, improve administrative efficiency and accelerate the delivery of development programmes across Ebonyi State.