The Nigerian Senate has confirmed all seven ministerial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu for swift approval.
This confirmation came after a screening session held on Wednesday, initially postponed from Tuesday. To expedite proceedings, the Senate suspended its standard rules, allowing the nominees to be evaluated on the Senate floor.
The screening process began with Nentawe Yilwatda, appointed to succeed Betta Edu as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
Following Yilwatda, the Senate screened other nominees, including Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi as the Minister of Labour and Employment, and Jumoke Oduwole as the Minister of Industry.
Also assessed were Idi Maiha for the newly created position of Minister for Livestock Development, Yusuf Ata as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, and Suwaiba Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.
Each nominee responded to detailed questions on their plans for effective ministry leadership, impressing senators and securing confirmation.
The confirmation of these appointments comes after President Tinubu’s significant cabinet reshuffle last Wednesday, in which five ministers were removed, ten ministers were reassigned, and seven new nominees were presented.
Among those dismissed were Uju-Ken Ohanenye from Women Affairs, Lola Ade-John from Tourism, Tahir Mamman from Education, Abdullahi Gwarzo from Housing and Urban Development, and Jamila Ibrahim from Youth Development.
Tinubu’s reshuffle also saw notable reassignments, with Yusuf Sununu moving from Education to Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, while Olatunji Alausa took over the Education ministry, previously held by Tahir Mamman.
Additionally, Bello Goronyo transitioned from Water Resources and Sanitation to Works, and Abubakar Momoh shifted from the Niger Delta Development portfolio to Regional Development.
Uba Maigari Ahmadu, previously in Steel Development, also assumed new responsibilities as Minister of State for Regional Development.
Doris Uzoka-Anite’s move from Industry, Trade, and Investment to Finance further highlighted the reshuffle, as she will now assist Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun.
Similarly, John Enoh moved from Sports to become Minister of State for Trade and Investment, while Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim shifted from Police Affairs to Women Affairs.
Ayodele Olawande, previously the Minister of State for Youth Development, was promoted to full Minister of Youth Development, and Iziak Salako was reassigned from Environment to Health.
These cabinet adjustments reflect Tinubu’s intent to strategically position ministers in roles aligned with his administration’s objectives, strengthening efforts across critical sectors to meet national goals effectively.
