The Senate at its plenary session of Wednesday, 29 June 2022, confirmed the nomination of seven persons for appointment as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
At the plenary session, the Senate commenced the process of screening and scrutinizing the qualification of the following nominees nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to serve as Ministers:
- Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh- Abia State
- Umana Okon Umana- Akwa Ibom State
- Ekumankama Joseph Nkama- Ebonyi State
- Goodluck Nana Opiah- Imo State
- Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub- Kano State
- Ademola Adewole Adegoroye- Ondo State
- Odum Udi- Rivers State
The nominees who appeared before the Senate responded to questions bordering on security, job creation and unemployment, reforms in education and oil sector, industrialization and their planned contribution to nation building. During the screening, the nominees also provided further details on their background, work experiences and educational qualification.
Speaking on the achievements and performances of the nominees, a few law makers attested to the capacities of Mr. Umana Okon Umana, currently serving as the Director General of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority; Mr. Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub, currently serving as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters; and Mr. Odum Udi who has served five consecutive terms as a Local Government chairman in Rivers State. The lawmakers described their nomination by President Buhari as deserving.
On the nomination of Mr. Goodluck Nana Opiah and Mr. Ademola Adewole Adegoroye, the Senate noted their extensive experiences having served as lawmakers at the Federal and State levels respectively as well as what they referred to as their immense contributions to the effectiveness of the legislature. Also, the Senate speaking in support of the nomination Mr. Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh and Mr. Ekumankama Joseph Nkama who served in various capacities for the government of their States urged the nominees to work assiduously in contributing to the efforts of the current administration.
It is important to note that President Buhari in a letter dated 15 June 2022, read by the Senate President, Sen. Ahmad Lawan (APC:Yobe) at the plenary session of Tuesday, 21 June 2022, requested the confirmation of the nominees by the Senate.
