They are the closest policy makers to the President, those who give their ministries political direction. They are often an ill assorted bunch- from the weird to the eccentric and outright brilliant. Over the years, their numbers have changed from 46 to 42 and now 25 since this civilian dispensation began in 1999.

I have had cause to work closely with some cabinet ministers over the years so, have been opportuned to observe these men at close quarters.

Here are the types I have discovered you find in any cabinet

1. The talkative
Mr Loquacious is his name- he is a chatter box and talks all the time, even when his response or views on issues are not needed. If he happens to manage information for the country as well, then he feels he has been given an official license to keep on chattering endlessly.

When there was no social media, such men often got off lightly with their guffaws, but now that every nuance of speech, every inflection of voice comes under scrutiny? They now know they are under watch so they must get their acts rights.

The more you talk, the more Nigerians attack you- any one who thinks this is a lie should as the common sense senator. Several ministers are suffering the brunt of this, none more than Lai Mohammed at the moment.

OBJ had FFK, Yar Adua had Aondoakaa, GEJ had Aganga at Trade, Adoke at justice and Adesina at Agric but Lai Mohammed is the indubitable leader of the lot.

2. The Absentee
He is never on seat, never in the office. At no time will you go his office and meet him on seat, never. He operates from home and all files are often taken by his assistants to the house. The only time he comes to the office is when there is an official function or when he is receiving a delegation, else he is not bothered with the office.

OBJ had Ogunlewe at works, who was always in Lagos using FERMA to fight LASTMA and Tinubu, Yar Adua had John Odey at environment and GEJ had Koro, who had more turf wars to fight with Fashola in Lagos than Boko Haram in Maiduguri.

3. Mr Aggressive
By nature, he is combative and aggressive, so he carries his persona into governance. His tenure at the office is draconian and all his directors and heads of agencies fear him. He has the ear of the president too, so nobody dares to cross his path.

He has everybody by the whiplash and his word is law, no one can challenge it, not even his perm sec. All his approvals are treated with dispatch and he is looked upon in awe.

OBJ had Borishade and FFK at education and Aviation respectively, Yar Adua had Aondoakaa at Justice, GEJ had Nyesom Wike at education, while PMB has Amaechi at Transport now

4. Ajala The Traveller
He is always on one foreign trip or the other, either with the President or on his own. By right, some ministries are always involved on Mr president’s travels so, such a minister always accompanies him. Once he is back, he is off again for another foreign junket.

Most of the ministers who travel like this are those who deal with world bodies like UNIDO, WTO, DFID and the likes

OBJ had Sule Lamido, UMY had Rilwan Lukman ,GEJ had Aganga, Ngozi Iweala, Dieziani Alison Madueke while PMB now has Ibe Kachikwu and Adeosun.

5. The Workaholic
When every one else is at home, he is still at the office. He may not come to the office on time, but he stays till late, atimes upto 9pm or even 10 when normal civil servants have gone since 4pm. We works hard, inspecting sites, commissioning projects, treating files and is often the star boy of the administration.

OBJ had Oby Ezekwesili at education and El Rufai at FCT, GEJ had Barth Nnaji at Power while it seems PMB has Fashola at power (as power seems to have improved- atleast in my area)

6. Mr Invinsible
The Minister you can’t see, you can’t place his face, you don’t know anything about him. He is never in the news, never seems to do anything, no innovations at his ministry, no projects, inshort, you don’t hear from him, even if things are being done under him.

Since they are invisible, we can’t even remember the past ones, GEJ’s ministers of state, and now PMB has Malami at Justice and the guy at Defence- who knows his name?

7. Mr Clueless
He seems to be overwhelmed with his job, doesn’t seem to know what to do and is struggling with the work load. He makes series of gaffes that are often overlooked and tries to get on with the job as quick as


Read all at
http://intercityadventures.com/2016/03/08/10-types-of-ministers-you-find-in-a-federal-cabinet/