President set to reduce ministries from 42 to 19, merge EFCC with ICPC

President Muhammadu Buhari is reportedly set to reduce the number of ministries in Nigeria to 19 from the current number of 42.

This is in line with recommendations made to Buhari by the Ahmed Joda-led transition committee formed by him.

The President will also reportedly merge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) in a bid to ensure a more effective fight against corruption.

The number of Federal Government departments and agencies will also be reduced, Vanguard reports citing a Presidency source.

“But the point being made is that relevant MDAs that will exist under the present administration must be those backed by laws. What that means is that the era of doing things the wrong way to please certain persons in positions of power is over,” the source said.

According to the source, some ministries will also be merged during Buhari’s administration.

The Ministry of Aviation will reportedly be merged with Inland Waterways and associated agencies while the Ministry of Agriculture will be merged with that of Water Resources.

 Earlier reports had it that Buhari had been advised by the transition committee to appoint 19 ministers and 17 ministers of state in order to achieve the dual aims of cutting cost and complying with the constitutional requirement of 36 ministers