In a significant move aimed at strengthening his cabinet amid Nigeria’s economic challenges, President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly-appointed ministers at the Council Chambers of Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The ceremony took place just days after their appointments and Senate confirmations, a reshuffle intended to bring fresh leadership to critical sectors in the government.
The newly sworn-in ministers include 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.
Also appointed were 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 Suwaiba Said Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.
In his address to the ministers, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of resilience and accountability.
“Nigeria’s head is above the waters. This ship will not sink. We will not run away from our responsibilities,” Tinubu stated, expressing confidence in his administration’s path forward.
“I am proud to lead you, and we will lead you to success and prosperity. We have taken the bull by the horns. We have stopped the scavengers and profiteers.”
The decision to reshuffle the cabinet came in response to mounting calls to address Nigeria’s deteriorating economic conditions, which have heightened the urgency for effective governance.
In October, Tinubu dismissed five ministers, including Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Tahir Mamman (Education), Abdullahi Gwarzo (State, Housing and Urban Development), and Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development), and nominated seven replacements.
Additionally, the president reassigned portfolios for ten other ministers to optimize the administration’s effectiveness.
This reshuffle, Tinubu hopes, will inject fresh energy and ideas into his government, tackling economic challenges head-on and working toward improving living standards across the country.
