President Bola Tinubu announced a significant cabinet reshuffle after the Wednesday session of the Federal Executive Council, which included the reassignment of the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Doris Azoka-Anite.
Azoka-Anite, who faced criticism for her managerial decisions, has been moved to the Ministry of Finance as a state minister.
Reliable sources informed Saturday PUNCH that Azoka-Anite’s removal from her previous role was largely due to her alleged disengagement from the critical agencies and departments within her ministry.
It was disclosed that she relocated her office from the ministry’s official premises to an alternative location in Abuja, complicating communication and workflow among her staff.
Ministry officials, preferring to remain anonymous, expressed concerns that Azoka-Anite’s physical absence from the ministry hindered operational efficiency and left departmental functions somewhat disjointed.
This move reportedly made it challenging for the staff to execute their duties effectively and maintain routine administrative oversight.
A top official of the ministry said, “The ministry was too big for her to handle. We usually have two ministers; we didn’t know why the President appointed only her to manage the ministry.
“Unfortunately, she was overwhelmed because she wanted to operate alone, not willing to work with departments and agencies under the ministry.
“She frustrated industrialists because of her self-styled administrative system. Each time we wanted to sign a file, we would leave the ministry to go and meet her at the new personal office she created in Abuja, and most of the files we submitted would not be returned to us. She has her team running the ministry for her.
“I believe industrialists who were frustrated by her style reported her to the President, which led to her demotion.”
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