President Bola Tinubu has requested the Senate’s confirmation of seven new ministerial nominees to replace the five ministers he sacked on Wednesday. The sacked ministers include Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Prof Tahir Mamman (Education), Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo (State, Housing and Urban Development), and Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Youth Development).
The President’s request was contained in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and read at the beginning of plenary on Thursday. According to the letter, the new nominees are Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Idi Muktar Maiha, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad.
These nominees have been assigned to various ministries, including Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Labour and Employment, Foreign Affairs, Industry, Trade and Development, Livestock Development, Housing, and Education.
Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process. In response, the Senate President referred the presidential request to the committee of the whole for consideration.
The development comes as part of Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle, aimed at reinvigorating his administration. The Senate’s prompt consideration of the nominees is crucial to filling the vacancies and ensuring continuity in government.
The Senate is expected to commence the screening and confirmation process soon.