Baring last minutes changes, Ministers recently screened by the Senate are expected to assume office next week as they gear up for swearing-in.
Recall that the President had forwarded the first batch of 28 Ministerial nominees, followed by another nominee, bringing the number to 48
Another review of the names submitted on Tuesday led to adding one more word, bringing the total number of Ministerial nominees to 48.
BusinessDay gathered that the Senate has, to beat the swearing-in deadline, which has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday next week, scheduled screening of the remaining Ministerial nominees for Saturday.
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“Ordinarily, the Senate will not sit on Saturday, but because of the need to complete their screenings by Tuesday, they are now going to sit on Saturday,” our source said.
So far, the Senate has completed screening the first 28 nominees, while it immediately resumed screening the last batch of 20 nominees.
In line with the President’s mandate, those whose screening has been completed, including Wale Edu, Nasir El- Rufai and Nyesom Wike, were sighted at the State House during the week to collect their briefs.
The President is expected to assign the office to the Ministers, as it is with the tradition, as soon as they take their oath of office.
In his efforts to deliver on his campaign promises, the President has unveiled a mixed grill old, both old and young, technocrats and politicians.
Although the President has hinted at plans to restructure many of his administration’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies, he will work with a total of 42 Ministers at the moment.
The Ministers represent the 36 states, with an extra six representing each of the six geopolitical zones; there are indications that President Tinubu may restructure some of the Ministries to make them more efficient.
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At Present, Tinubu’s government has 27 ministries left vacant by the previous administration.
The Ministries include the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Agriculture and Rural Development, Aviation, Justice, Labour and Employment, Petroleum Resources, Water Resources, Women Affairs and Social Development, Mines and Steel Development.
Ministry of Defence and Niger Delta Affairs
Others include the Ministry of Power, Transportation, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Youth and Sport, Works and Housing and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Budget and National Planning, Commerce and Industry, Education, Environment, Finance, Health, Information and Culture, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, and the Ministry of Interior.
The nation had waited patiently for the unveiling of the President’s cabinet, as the delays created anxious moments as to why the President is yet to announce his Ministers despite assurances that he will hit the ground running.
