The Federal Ministries of Nigeria are civil service departments that are responsible for delivering various government services. Each ministry is headed by a Permanent Secretary who reports to a Minister in the Federal Cabinet. Some government functions are provided by "commissions" or parastatals (government-owned corporations) that may be independent or associated with a ministry.
At times, ministries are amalgamated and at other times they are split. Thus Halima Tayo Alao was appointed Minister of Environment and Housing on 26 July 2007 by President Umaru Yar'Adua. After a cabinet reshuffle, in December 2008 Nduese Essien was appointed Minister of Environment and Hassan Muhammed Lawal was appointed Minister of Works and Housing. On 6 April 2010, Mohammed Daggash was appointed Minister of Works and Nduese Essien was appointed Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. The table below lists current or past ministries.