The Nigerian Senate has begun screening seven newly nominated ministerial candidates following a recent reshuffle by President Bola Tinubu.
The nominees include Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment, and Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Others are Dr. Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade and Development; Idi Muktar Maiha as Minister of Livestock Development; Rt. Hon. Yusuf Ata as Minister of State for Housing; and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.
At 12:57 p.m. on Wednesday, the Senate suspended its rule, following a motion by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, to allow the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, to introduce the nominees to the plenary.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio had previously read the President’s letter nominating the ministers on Thursday.
This screening follows President Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle, which included the dismissal of five ministers: Uju-Ken Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs; Lola Ade-John, Minister of Tourism; Prof. Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education; Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development; and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development.
