Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved the appointment of 101 new Special Advisers and assistants, sparking reactions from Nigerians. The appointments include seven Special Advisers, six Senior Special Assistants, and 88 Special Assistants. The new aides will oversee different sectors and responsibilities across the state government. This move has generated debate on social media, with some questioning the need for such a large number of advisers.
The appointments were announced by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, and took immediate effect. The new appointees have portfolios covering areas including economic development, policy affairs, grassroots coordination, creative industry development, environmental protection, youth engagement, women mobilisation, technology and innovation, among others. Two Nollywood actresses, Rachael Okonkwo and Eucharia Anunobi, were also appointed as Senior Special Assistant on Film and Creative Industry Development and Special Assistant on Women Mobilisation for Enugu-North Zone, respectively.
However, the announcement has generated criticism from some Nigerians, who question the cost and need for such a large number of advisers. One user wrote, "Cost of governance must be reduced in order to maintain a corruption-free institution. For God's sake, what is the impact of appointing these SAs when you can use the same resources to channel into human capital development. Misplaced priority." Another user questioned the purpose of the appointments, saying, "Wtf is 101 bunch of advisers, dude you don't need that. What exactly are they advising you about? Wasting taxpayers' money!"
The criticism comes amid wider public conversations in Nigeria about the size and cost of government appointments. The Enugu State Government has defended the appointments, saying the newly appointed aides have specific responsibilities aimed at supporting different areas of governance. The government claims that the appointees will help drive development and progress in the state.
This is not the first time Governor Mbah has made large-scale appointments. In August 2026, he approved the appointment of 23 new advisers and assistants. The latest appointments have sparked concerns about the size and cost of government in Enugu State. Some Nigerians have called for a reduction in the cost of governance to prioritize human capital development.
The appointment of two Nollywood actresses has also generated interest, with some questioning the relevance of their appointments. Rachael Okonkwo and Eucharia Anunobi will oversee film and creative industry development and women mobilisation, respectively. Their appointments have sparked debate about the role of celebrities in governance.
The Enugu State Government has not commented on the cost implications of the appointments. The government has only stated that the appointees will help drive development and progress in the state. The controversy surrounding the appointments highlights the challenges of governance in Nigeria, where the size and cost of government are often contentious issues.
Key points
- Governor Peter Mbah has appointed 101 new Special Advisers and assistants in Enugu State, sparking reactions from Nigerians.
- The appointments include two Nollywood actresses, Rachael Okonkwo and Eucharia Anunobi.
- Some Nigerians have questioned the cost and need for such a large number of advisers, calling for a reduction in the cost of governance.
