The Nigerian Senate is scheduled to begin the screening of ministerial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu today. The nominees, recently cleared by the Department of State Services (DSS), have been actively preparing for the confirmation process, submitting necessary documentation ahead of the session.
Sources revealed that the nominees met with the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, to hand in their curriculum vitae to meet the screening deadline. Early submissions were made by the nominees for key ministerial roles in Education, Trade and Investment, and Livestock Development.
In an official statement, Senator Lado confirmed that the nominees had initiated the documentation process as part of the formal procedures for their Senate screening. “The nominees are actively submitting the required documents as the initial step for screening and confirmation,” Lado stated.
Today’s screening process is in accordance with Section 147 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended), which mandates Senate confirmation of presidential appointees. President Tinubu’s nomination letter, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was read during last Thursday’s plenary, requesting prompt action on seven ministerial candidates.
The nominees presented by the President include:
- Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, proposed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
- Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, proposed Minister of Labour and Employment
- Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu, proposed Minister of State, Foreign Affairs
- Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, proposed Minister of Industry, Trade, and Development
- Idi Maiha, proposed Minister of Livestock Development
- Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, proposed Minister of State, Housing
- Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad, proposed Minister of State, Education
In his letter, President Tinubu requested that the Senate expedite the screening and confirmation process for these key positions, emphasizing the importance of these appointments to his administration’s agenda. Following the President’s request, Senate President Akpabio referred the matter to the Committee of the Whole for immediate consideration.
The Senate’s screening process today is expected to determine the readiness and qualifications of the nominees for their respective roles, signaling a significant step in Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen his administration’s executive team.
