Cabinet reshuffle: Senate approves Tinubu’s seven ministerial nominees
…As total ministerial count hits 48
By Babatunde Opoola, Abuja
In a move toward reshaping his cabinet, the Senate has officially approved the seven ministerial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu.
The confirmation, announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, follows a comprehensive screening process that addressed the nominees’ plans for their respective ministries.
This development marks a fresh start for Tinubu’s administration, enhancing the government’s capacity to tackle pressing national issues as it seeks to strengthen governance and deliver on its promises to Nigerians.
Godswill Akpabio, announced the confirmation of the ministers after they were cleared through a voice vote by senators at the plenary.
The screening exercise was held at the red chamber after it was postponed on Tuesday.
The Senate suspended its rule to admit the ministerial nominees.
The lawmakers began with Nentawe Yilwatda, the nominee appointed to replace Betta Edu as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
They subsequently screened other appointees including Bianca Odumegu-Ojukwu nominated as the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi nominated as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Jumoke Oduwole nominated as the Minister of Industry.
Also screened were Idi Maiha as Minister for the newly created Livestock Development Ministry, Yusuf Ata as the Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, and Suwaiba Ahmad as Minister of State Education.
The nominees were confirmed after about five hours of screening by the Senate.
All the nominees were asked questions on how to run their various designated ministries effectively, which they answered to the satisfaction of the Senators who subsequently confirmed their appointments.
President Bola Tinubu had last Wednesday sacked five ministers, re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation.
The confirmation brings the total number of ministers serving in the administration of President Bola Tinubu to 48.
Akpabio prayed that God will give the ministers the enablement to discharge their duties to the benefit of Nigerians.