ABUJA, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu is reportedly preparing to send a list of ministerial nominees to the Senate for appointment.
According to sources on Saturday, July 1, 2023, close to the government, this list is the first of several batches and is expected to be submitted to the Senate this week.
The president is required by law to appoint a minister from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to assist in running the government.
The former president, Muhammadu Buhari, had appointed 44 ministers, with some states represented by two ministers.
It is reported that the initial batch of President Tinubu’s nominees predominantly consists of technocrats, reflecting the president’s desire to rapidly address economic challenges.
Sources indicate that the list includes current senators from both northern and southern regions of the country.
An insider stated, “The president is keen on a Federal Executive Council that is performance-driven and has, therefore, selected a number of highly competent technocrats to assist him in realizing his Renewed Hope Agenda, which was central to his campaign. He is committed to assembling a highly skilled team to tackle the nation’s challenges.”
Among the technocrats on the list is a former chief executive officer of a commercial bank from the South-West who transitioned into politics in 2020.
This individual, who is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, FCA, is rumoured to be a likely candidate for the role of finance minister, an area aligning with his expertise.
Additionally, it is reported that President Tinubu personally intervened in the selection of a nominee from Kano State due to existing political tensions between the immediate past governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, and his predecessor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
In an act of courtesy, President Tinubu allowed his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, to recommend a nominee from Katsina State.
It is understood that Buhari has submitted a name to Tinubu for this purpose.
Submitting the ministerial nominees to the Senate is one of the first major actions of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and signals his approach to governance.
The nation now awaits the Senate’s vetting and confirmation of these nominees, as well as the subsequent appointment and unveiling of the new Federal Executive Council.
