The Nigerian Senate will begin screening seven new ministerial nominees appointed by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday.
President Tinubu had requested the Senate to confirm these nominees for various ministerial roles following recent changes to his cabinet.
The nominees include:
- Nentawe Yilwatda for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
- Muhammadu Dingyadi for Labour & Employment
- Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
- Jumoke Oduwole for Industry, Trade, and Investment
- Idi Mukhtar Maiha for Livestock Development
- Yusuf Ata as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development
- Suwaiba Ahmad as Minister of State for Education
The President made these nominations after a recent reshuffle where five ministers were dismissed, ten were reassigned, and seven new appointments were made.
In his letter to the Senate, Tinubu urged quick consideration of the nominees, stating, “Their confirmation will strengthen our cabinet in delivering the goals of this administration.”
Some of the dismissed ministers include Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Tahir Mamman (Education), Abdullahi Gwarzo (State Housing and Urban Development), and Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development).
Among the reassignments, Yusuf Sununu was moved from Minister of State for Education to Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
Olatunji Alausa, previously the Minister of State for Health, is now the Minister of Education. Other notable moves include:
- Bello Goronyo, now Minister of State for Works
- Abubakar Momoh, shifted to Minister of Regional Development
- Uba Maigari Ahmadu, reassigned to Minister of State for Regional Development from Steel Development
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, previously Minister of State for Police Affairs, is now the Minister of Women Affairs, while Ayodele Olawande has been promoted to full Minister of Youth Development. The reshuffle also moved Iziak Salako from Environment to Health.
With the Senate set to begin the screening, the new ministers are expected to bring fresh energy to President Tinubu’s cabinet, as noted by Senate officials who expressed readiness for “a smooth and swift screening process.”
