The Nigerian Senate has started the official screening process for seven new ministerial nominees, as presented by President Bola Tinubu. These nominees, proposed for crucial roles within the country’s cabinet, are expected to address key areas like poverty reduction, foreign relations, and educational development, which are pressing priorities for Nigeria.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, led the proceedings on Wednesday, October 30, as part of the legislative body’s ongoing review of the proposed candidates. The list of nominees includes Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda for the position of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and Muhammadu Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is nominated as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, while Dr. Jumoke Oduwole is up for Minister of Industry, Trade, and Development. The other candidates are Idi Muktar Maiha for Minister of Livestock Development, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Ata as Minister of State for Housing, and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.
In an important move to expedite the process, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele put forth a motion at 12:57 pm on Wednesday, allowing the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, to bring the nominees into the Senate chamber. This motion suspended standard procedures temporarily, allowing the screening session to proceed more smoothly and promptly.
The current wave of appointments comes on the heels of a recent cabinet reshuffle by President Tinubu, who dismissed five ministers as part of a broader restructuring effort. Among the dismissed were Uju-Ken Ohanenye, the former Minister of Women Affairs; Lola Ade-John, Minister of Tourism; Prof. Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education; Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development; and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development.
