Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju has criticised the performance of many federal ministers, saying only a handful are active while the rest are “missing in action.”

In his Independence Day statement on Wednesday, Adeyanju said Nigeria cannot afford ghost ministers at a time when the country faces pressing economic and security challenges.

“Only about four of our ministers are visible and working; the rest are missing in action and are only ministers by portfolio. A country of Nigeria’s magnitude and challenges cannot afford ghost ministers,” he said.

Adeyanju argued that democracy and governance in Nigeria remain weak, especially at the subnational level where state governors wield “excessive power with little to no accountability.” 

He recalled how, less than a year ago, 19 governors almost crippled the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an action that could have dealt a major blow to the fight against corruption.

“This same disregard for accountability is the reason the judgment of the Supreme Court on local government autonomy remains largely unenforced. Leaders cannot pick and choose which laws to obey,” he added.

He also linked the absence of strong leadership to worsening insecurity across the country. 

According to him, Nigerians are daily confronted with attacks by “unknown gunmen,” a situation that undermines the meaning of independence.

“Independence means nothing without security. Citizens must be able to feel safe in their homes, on the roads, and within their communities. This cannot continue,” Adeyanju warned.

The activist stressed that Independence Day should not just be a date on the calendar but a reminder of the need to build a nation where democracy, accountability, and security are guaranteed for all citizens and not just for a privileged few.

Independence Day: Only four ministers working, others ghosts  – Adeyanju laments