Senate postpones screening of ministerial nominees

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio

The Nigerian Senate has postponed the screening and confirmation of seven ministerial nominees submitted last week by President Bola Tinubu.

The exercise which was initially slated for Tuesday, was delayed due to incomplete documentation by some of the nominees.

Senator Basheer Lado, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Senate Matters, confirmed the postponement in a statement.

He noted that the decision to shift the screening exercise is to allow the nominees additional time to finalize all required documentation and pre-screening procedures.

“The screening has been rescheduled for Wednesday, October 30, 2024,” he said.

Meanwhile, the seven ministerial nominees forwarded to the Senate for confirmation by President Bola Tinubu last week are, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment and Bianca Odinaka Odumegu Ojukwu, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.

Others are Dr Jumoke Oduwole Minister of Industry, Trade and Development, Idi Muktar Maiha Minister of Livestock Development, Rt Hon Yusuf Abdullahi Ata Minister of State, Housing and Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad Minister of State, Education.

The nominees are expected to be screened and confirmed by the Senate in compliance with Section 147 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.