President Bola Tinubu will swear in a new lineup of ministers on Monday following their confirmation by the Senate last week.
Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, announced this on Sunday.
The appointees include: Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment; and Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
Additional appointees are: Dr. Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment; Idi Mukhtar Maiha as Minister of Livestock Development; Yusuf Abdullahi Ata as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development; and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.
The Senate confirmed all seven ministerial nominees on Wednesday after an extensive screening process during a plenary session.
Some nominees, who previously held various governmental roles, were simply asked to introduce themselves and then allowed to leave without further questioning.
The Senate endorsed Bianca, widow of the late former governor of Eastern Nigeria, Odumegwu Ojukwu, along with the six other minister-designates.
In her presentation, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, representing Anambra, expressed concern over the dire state of Nigeria’s embassies abroad, citing inadequate funding that has left them in “deplorable conditions that do not reflect Nigeria’s stature among nations.”
She emphasized the need for renovations to provide lawmakers with a suitable environment for engaging with foreign partners.
Bianca also highlighted the need for a renewed commitment to public service, stating, “If we are dedicated to serving this nation with an aim of fostering peace, we will prevail.”
Several senators praised President Tinubu for including a minister from an opposition party. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA-Abia) remarked that this nomination underscores the administration’s commitment to national unity.
He stated, “The President deserves commendation for selecting someone from across party lines, especially a member of the APGA and the spouse of my late political leader, Chief Odumegu Ojukwu. This signals the beginning of a unity government and a step toward national integration.”
Senator Victor Umeh (LP-Anambra) referred to Bianca’s nomination as a healing process for the nation.
