By DAYO ADESULU
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, widow of the late Biafra leader, has been appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Her appointment follows a distinguished diplomatic career, which includes previous roles as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana and the Kingdom of Spain under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. Her new role reflects the Tinubu administration’s confidence in her ability to enhance Nigeria’s diplomatic relations on the global stage.
Jumoke Oduwole, previously serving as President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on PEBEC & Investment, now assumes the position of Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, replacing Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been reassigned as Minister of State for Finance. Oduwole’s appointment is expected to drive innovation and economic growth, leveraging her expertise in ease of doing business reforms.
In other appointments, Maigari Dingyadi has been named the new Minister of Labour and Employment, while Idi Maiha will oversee the newly created Livestock Development Ministry. The Ministry, tasked with addressing the livestock sector’s role in Nigeria’s economy, is a reflection of Tinubu’s commitment to agricultural reform and rural development.
Yusuf Ata will serve as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, while Suwaiba Ahmad has been appointed as Minister of State for Education. Dr. Nentawe Yilwada replaces Betta Edu as the new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, reinforcing the government’s focus on social welfare and poverty alleviation.
The reshuffle also saw the exit of five ministers, including Uju-Ken Ohanenye, who previously held the Women’s Affairs portfolio, and Lola Ade-John, who served as Minister of Tourism. Tahir Mamman was removed from his position as Minister of Education, along with Abdullahi Gwarzo as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development and Jamila Ibrahim as Minister of Youth Development. In addition to these changes, President Tinubu reassigned ten ministers to new portfolios in a broader effort to ensure optimal performance across government sectors.
The reshuffle and new appointments are part of President Tinubu’s strategy to optimize his administration’s performance, more than a year into his tenure. The changes aim to improve governance, enhance Nigeria’s economic position, and ensure the successful implementation of key policies across various sectors.
By appointing individuals with proven track records and reassigning ministers to strategic portfolios, the Tinubu administration is taking bold steps to fulfill its mandate of delivering impactful governance and development.