The names of ministerial nominees are usually sent to the NASS without positions attached, indicating an abject lack of seriousness. The resulting screening of ministerial nominees then becomes a hollow ritual.

Since no positions are attached, nominees cannot be asked questions based on their suitability for such. This is a huge disservice to the country. The NASS may consider reducing the time for the submission of ministerial nominees by a newly inaugurated president from three months to 30 days.

Positions should accompany the names of nominees while Nigerians expect the lawmakers to learn from their American counterparts and grill those named rigorously.

Governance must be run on strategic decisions and not whimsical acts. Once elections are over, governance must necessarily kick in. The delay in announcing ministerial nominees allows for too many unnecessary trade-offs and interference by different interests seeking to put their own choices on board. Nigerian politicians must imbibe the acumen to govern while running for elections.

Another point to note is that the unwieldy cabinet of successive presidents needs to be reviewed. The US with a $27 trillion GDP, has a far leaner cabinet than President Bola Tinubu’s. This must change.