The Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, On Monday, announced that ministerial nominees have commenced the documentation process in preparation for their Senate screening and confirmation, scheduled to begin today, Tuesday.
“Nominees were already submitting relevant documents as the first in the series of procedures for the screening and confirmation of ministerial nominees,” Lado said in a statement.
The process aligns with Section 147 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended), which mandates Senate confirmation of ministerial appointments.
This screening follows President Bola Tinubu’s formal submission to the Senate last Thursday, requesting the confirmation of seven ministerial candidates. Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the letter at the start of Thursday’s plenary, highlighting the President’s call for swift action on the nominees.
Subsequently, Akpabio referred the letter to the Committee of the Whole for prompt deliberation.
The President’s letter listed the nominees, each proposed for key ministerial roles. Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda has been nominated as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, a role that aligns with his background in humanitarian programs.
Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, who served as Minister of Police Affairs, is now tapped for Minister of Labour and Employment.
The renowned Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu is nominated for Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, adding diplomatic experience to Tinubu’s cabinet. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, known for her work in Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business initiative, is set for the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Development.
Idi Muktar Maiha is positioned for Minister of Livestock Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata for Minister of State, Housing, and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad for Minister of State, Education.
This reshuffling follows Tinubu’s recent cabinet reorganization, which led to the dismissal of five ministers. Uju-Ken Ohanenye, former Minister of Women Affairs; Lola Ade-John, Minister of Tourism; Prof Tahir Mamman from Education; Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development; and Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Minister of Youth, were all relieved of their posts.
