The Nigerian Senate is set to commence the screening of President Bola Tinubu’s seven new ministerial nominees on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. The announcement was made in a statement on Monday by Basheer Lado, the President’s Special Adviser on Senate Matters. Lado, a former senator, noted that the nominees had already begun submitting their credentials in preparation for the screening, in line with National Assembly protocols.

Lado’s statement emphasized that “ministerial nominees have commenced documentation ahead of their screening and confirmation by the Senate.” The screening, as mandated by Section 147 of the Nigerian Constitution, will take place in a Committee of the Whole, where senators will question the nominees.

Last week, President Tinubu reshuffled his cabinet, dismissing five ministers and appointing seven new ones pending Senate confirmation. He also reassigned ten ministers to new roles. The nominated individuals include Nentawe Yilwatda, Muhammadu Dingyadi, Bianca Odumegu-Ojukwu, Jumoke Oduwole, Idi Maiha, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, and Suwaiba Ahmad. In a letter addressed to the Senate on Thursday, President Tinubu urged lawmakers to expedite the screening and confirmation process.

The Senate’s review is anticipated to be thorough, as senators assess the qualifications and backgrounds of the new appointees in anticipation of their potential impact on the cabinet.