New Ministers Prepare For Swearing-In Following Senate Approval
The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed the appointments of several new ministers, ushering in a wave of leadership aimed at revitalizing key sectors of the nation. Among those confirmed was Bianca Odimiegwu-Ojukwu, now appointed as the substantive Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Others confirmed in Wednesday’s session include Dr. Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Development; Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; and Muhammadu Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment. Additionally, the Senate approved Idi Muktar Maiha as Minister of Livestock Development, Yusuf Ata as Minister of State for Housing, and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.
The confirmation process, conducted over five hours, culminated in a voice vote led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This round of appointments followed the recent directive by President Bola Tinubu for ministers dismissed earlier to complete handovers by October 30, 2024. Several, including the Minister of Women Affairs Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim and the former Minister of Tourism Lola Ade-John, had handed over their duties as per this mandate.
During her screening, Bianca Odimiegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the persistent financial challenges faced by Nigerian embassies globally, citing limited funding that hampers the upkeep of embassy facilities and constrains ambassadors. She pointed out that the underfunding impacts Nigeria’s global standing, as embassies often struggle to present a dignified representation of the country. Urging the government to address this underfunding, Odimiegwu-Ojukwu emphasized the need for embassies that reflect Nigeria’s stature and accommodate international engagements effectively. “This is something that the government, under this president, should look into,” she noted, underscoring the importance of dignified embassy environments.
Similarly, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, now confirmed as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Development, laid out her plans to bolster Nigeria’s economy by prioritizing investments, productivity, and job creation. Oduwole stressed the need for innovative approaches that foster sustainable growth in the face of current economic challenges.
These new ministerial appointments mark a significant step in President Tinubu’s broader government reform agenda, with Nigerians looking to this fresh leadership to tackle some of the pressing issues across diplomatic, economic, and social spheres.
