Tinubu’s Adviser Dismisses Claims of President as Petroleum Minister: A New Focus on Gas
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has refuted claims that the president serves as Nigeria’s official petroleum minister.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, Onanuga responded to questions regarding whether Tinubu intends to maintain the title of ‘Minister of Petroleum.’ He firmly stated that the president has never referred to himself by that title and pointed out that there are already two ministers managing the oil sector.
“I’ve addressed this issue before. The President has never called himself the Minister of Petroleum; that title was assigned by the media. We have two ministers overseeing this area, with one specifically focused on gas, a sector that has historically been overlooked in Nigeria despite its significance as a gas-producing nation,” Onanuga explained.
He also highlighted a recent comment from former President Obasanjo, who admitted he had made a mistake by not prioritizing gas during his administration. Onanuga noted that President Tinubu is taking steps to correct this by emphasizing the gas sector.
Furthermore, he stressed that the president oversees all ministries, ensuring comprehensive governance.
Onanuga addressed concerns regarding the president