The screening of seven newly selected ministerial nominees, initially scheduled for Tuesday on the Senate floor, has been postponed to Wednesday noon. According to a statement by Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, the delay was made “to allow all nominees to conclude all aspects of documentation and pre-screening exercises.”
Recent Cabinet Changes
This readjusted schedule follows significant cabinet changes announced by President Tinubu last Wednesday. In a major reshuffle, the president dismissed five ministers, reassigned 10 ministers to new portfolios, and appointed seven new ministers, who now await Senate confirmation. These appointments are part of Tinubu’s broader strategy to refine his administration’s approach to key national issues.
New Nominees and Portfolios
The new ministerial nominees, and their designated portfolios, include:
- – Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu – Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
- – Nentawe Yilwatda – Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, succeeding suspended Betta Edu
- – Maigari Dingyadi- Minister of Labour and Employment
- – Jumoke Oduwole – Minister of Industry
- – Idi Maiha – Minister of the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development
- – Yusuf Ata – Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development
- – Suwaiba Ahmad – Minister of State for Education
Senate Screening Process
The screening of these nominees, all things being equal, will now take place on Wednesday, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio presiding over the proceedings. This exercise marks a critical step toward formalizing Tinubu’s new cabinet structure and the proposed adjustments in his administration’s policy direction.