The Nigerian Senate is set to commence screening and confirmation sessions for a new batch of ministerial nominees today. This follows a recent announcement that the nominees have submitted essential documents as part of the preparatory procedures.
On Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, disclosed that the nominees had already begun providing the required documentation. “Nominees were already submitting relevant documents as the first in the series of procedures for the screening and confirmation of ministerial nominees,” Lado stated.
This step is necessary for the Senate to complete the screening process, which must adhere to Section 147 of Nigeria’s Constitution (1999, as amended).
The move comes on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s formal request for the Senate to approve seven new ministerial candidates. Last Thursday, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, received the president’s letter, which was then read out at the start of the Senate plenary. This letter included a call for urgent consideration to expedite the process.
In the letter, Tinubu nominated seven individuals for diverse ministerial roles within his administration.
The nominees include Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda for Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi for Minister of Labour and Employment, Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade and Development. Additional nominees are Idi Muktar Maiha as Minister of Livestock Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata as Minister of State for Housing, and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.
Following Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle, which saw the departure of five ministers, these appointments aim to strengthen and refocus various government ministries. Those removed from the cabinet include Uju-Ken Ohanenye, former Minister of Women Affairs; Lola Ade-John, former Minister of Tourism; Prof. Tahir Mamman, former Minister of Education; Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo, former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development; and Jamila Bio Ibrahim, former Minister of Youth.
Senate President Akpabio has since tasked the Committee of the Whole to review the President’s request swiftly, signaling the Senate’s commitment to expedite the screening process. The screening is expected to confirm the nominees who will address key areas such as humanitarian affairs, education, and industry development.
