President Bola Tinubu on Thursday forwarded a list of 28 ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
The nominees, comprising four former governors, seven women, serving and former lawmakers and technocrats, were picked from 25 of Nigeria’s 36 states. Since the constitution mandates the president to pick at least a minister from every state, Tinubu is expected to submit at least 11 more names to the Senate in the coming days.
Prominent among those who made the list are the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; former governor of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai; ex-Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi; former governor of Jigawa Abubakar Badaru, former Minister of State for Health, Mohammed Ali Pate, and Lateef Fagbemi SAN.
Biography Of President Tinubu’s 28 Ministerial Nominees
Nyesom Wike
Born 13 December 1967, Ezewnwo Wike hails from Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. He is a lawyer and has served as the governor of Rivers State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2015 to 2023.
Prior to becoming governor, Wike had served as Minister of State for Education under Dr Goodluck Jonathan’s administration From July 2011 to 2014. He was appointed Acting Minister of Education, after Mrs Ruqqayatu was removed from office, but resigned before finishing his term to campaign for Governorship. He also served as chief of staff to former governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Earlier, Wike had served as Executive Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area from 1999 to 2007. Aside from his Bachelor’s degree in Law, Wike also has a Master’s degree in Political and Administrative Studies all obtained the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
In the build-up to the 2023 Presidential election, Wike also contested for the ticket of the PDP but lost to Atiku Abubakar.
Nasir El-Rufai
El-Rufai, who was governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had also served as minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 2003 to 2007 when the FCT was said to have received a major facelift following his massive urban reconstruction in line with Abuja environmental masterplan. El-Rufai also served as director of the Bureau of Public Enterprises.
He has a first-class honours degree in Quantity Surveying, and MBA all obtained from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. He also has a law degree from the University of London (2008); and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University in June 2009.
David Umahi
David Nweze Umahi, who is the current senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District served as governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023, and as deputy governor from 2011 to 2015 under Martin Elechi.
He is a Civil Engineer by profession and in 1990, co-founded Norman Engineering and Construction Nig. Limited with Ombo Isokarari and served as its general manager until 1993, he also managed some other engineering firms until 2011 when he became deputy governor.
Mohamed Badaru Abubakar
Mohamed Badaru Abubakar is the immediate past governor of Jigawa State (2015 to 2023).
Born born 19 September 1962, Abubakar graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained a B.Sc in Accounting. He is also an alumnus of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru.
He is an industrialist, who set up the Talamiz Group, a conglomerate with diverse interests in automobiles, manufacturing, agriculture and animal husbandry, as well as commodity distribution.
Mohammed Ali Pate
Born on 6 September 1968, Mohammed Ali Pate is a Professor of Public Health Leadership in the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard University.
He served as Minister of State for Health under Goodluck Jonathan administration between 2011 and 2013. He has also served in various health bodies both in Nigeria and at the world level. He is being tipped to be the next Minister of Health.
Dele Alake
Dele Alake is the current Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy.
He served as a former commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State under Tinubu as governor from 1999 to 2007.
Alake was appointed as the director of Media and Communication of the Buhari Campaign Organisation 2014 for the 2015 general election.
He was also the communication advisor of Chief Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12 presidential election in Nigeria in 1993.
He has Bachelors degree in Political Science and Masters in Mass Communication all obtained from the University of Lagos.
He has worked in both broadcast and print media with vast experience in public communication.
Lateef Fagbemi
Lateef Fagbemi, from Kwara State, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He is an erudite legal practitioner who has made a significant contribution to the legal profession in Nigeria.
He is currently the lead counsel for the APC, defending the 2023 presidential election result won by Bola Tinubu.
He is being tipped to be the next Attorney General of the Generation (AGF). He has an LLB and LLM obtained from the University of Jos.
He has extensive legal experience having been involved in dealing with numerous high-profile cases, including election petitions and other constitutional matters.
Adebayo Adelabu
Adebayo Adelabu from Oyo State, Nigeria, is a renowned financial expert, who served as deputy governor of Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria between 2014 and 2018.
In 2019 election, he was the APC gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State.
Adebayo, who has a first-class degree in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and an Associate Member of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He has also worked with Price Water Coopers (PwC), an international accounting firm, and some commercial banks at top management cadre.
He now serves as the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Nigeria InterBank Settlement Systems (NIBBS) and also a member of boards of the following agencies: Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC), the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and the Nigeria Incentive-based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).
Hannatu Musawa
Hannatu Musawa is a legal practitioner and Newspaper Columnist. She is a former Deputy Spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
Until her nomination, Musawa, has been serving as Special Adviser on Culture and Entertainment Economy.
She holds a degree in law from the University of Buckingham, UK and took a Postgraduate Masters Degree in the legal aspects of Marine Affairs from the University of Cardiff, Wales.
She also has a Postgraduate Masters Degree in Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen.
Architect Ahmad Dangiwa
Brief Profiles of Tinubu’s 28 Ministerial nominees
Architect Ahmad Dangiwa is a former Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).
He contested for the APC governorship ticket in Katsina State during the May 2022 primary.
Dangiwa, an accomplished architect, has worked in real estate, banking, development of infrastructure, and management.
Amb Yusuf Maitama
Born on 12 March 1967 in Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who hails from Bauchi State, has been serving as Nigerian Ambassador to Germany since 2017 till date. The diplomat has also been a member of the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011 where he represented Gamawa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State. He served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Procurement as well as Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions. He also served on the Committees on Petroleum (Upstream), Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Legislative Budgeting, Interior, Labour and the Sub-committee on Local Content
Tuggar has a Bachelors degree in International Relations obtained from the United States International University, San Diego California, and a Masters degree in International studies of the University of Cambridge.
He has had a long career as an oil & gas entrepreneur and consultant, focusing on the upstream for over 25 years.
Dr Beta Edu
Dr Beta Edu, the current National Women Leader of APC, is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health and the African Institute of Public Health Professionals.
Born October 27, 1986, Edu is a graduate of medicine and surgery, from the University of Calabar.
She served as Commissioner for Health in Cross River State until her resignation in 2022. She became the youngest person to be appointed Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State Ben Ayade on Community and Primary Healthcare in 2015.
Dr Doris Uzoka Aniche
Dr (Mrs) Doris Uzoka- Aniche served as a Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy in Imo State.
Dr Anichie is also a former General Manager of Zenith Bank Plc. She hails from Oguta LGA of Imo State.
Uche Nnaji
Uche Nnaji hails from Akpugo in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
He contested for the position of governor of Enugu State on the platform of the All Progressive Congress in the 2023 general election.
Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo
Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo represented Abak / Etim Ekpo / Ika Federal Constituency in the National Assembly from 2007 to 2011.
Hon Nkiru Onyejeocha
Hon. Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejocha is a Federal House of Representatives member, representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.
She was born on 23 November 1969. Hon. Onyejocha holds a Bachelor Degree in Social Work from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1993), Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Imo State University (2005) and Master’s Degree in Shipping from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State.
She had previously served as Executive Transition Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State in 2002, Commissioner for Resource Management and Manpower Development in 2003.
She was awarded the most vibrant female legislator in Nigeria by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASSAN) during the 7th National Assembly.
Hon. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo
Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is a lawmaker representing Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State in the National Assembly.
Born 1st of May 1982, Tunji-Ojo in 1999, went to Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering. In 2002, while in his third year at the Obafemi Awolowo University, he proceeded to the University of North London (now London Metropolitan University) where he studied Electronics and Communication Engineering and graduated in 2005.
He also bagged a Master’s degree in Digital Communication and Networking from the same institution in 2006 and today, holds certifications in 18 professional qualifications in ICT including the prestigious title of being one of the first set of certified ethical hackers from Royal Britannia IT Training Academy in the United Kingdom.
Stella Okoteke
Stella Okotete is a philanthropist, who possesses significant experience in public policy, Business and international development and general administration, public-private partnership management, and export financing.
She was appointed as the Executive Director, Business Development at the Nigeria Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank in 2017. Prior to that she had between 2011 and 2015, she served as the Special Assistant and Adviser to the Executive Governor of Delta State on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Hon. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye
Hon. Uju Kennedy is a lawyer, entrepreneur, politician, and film producer in Nollywood. She was the first and only woman to run for president of Nigeria under the platform of APC. She, however, stepped down for Tinubu at the party’s convention ground, Abuja during primary. She later mobilised support for Tinubu during campaigns.
Bello Mohammed Goroyo
Bello Muhammad Goronyo is a former Commissioner for Information in Sokoto State under Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
Goroyo was sacked by the Tambuwal’s government when he dumped the PDP and joined the APC.
Olawale Edun
Olawale Edun is a seasoned financial expert with extensive experience in the banking sector.
He served as Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State during Tinubu’s administration as governor from (1999-2007).
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
Born in Jos Plateau State, but hails from Keffi, Nasarawa State, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim graduated from the University of Abuja with a degree in sociology at the age of 19. She bagged two master’s degrees from Webster University, an MBA and MA at 21.
Presently, she is the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons. Prior to the appointment, she had served as the Director-General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) from 1 December 2020 till 27 May 2021.
Prof. Joseph Utsev
Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, hails from Buruku Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State. He is a civil engineer and former Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Wanune, Tarka LGA of Benue state.
He was an Associate Professor at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
Utsev served as a commissioner in the Samuel Ortom government.
Senator John Enoh
Sen. John Enoh hails from Cross River State. He was a Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly from 2015 to 2019.
Mohammed Idris
Mohammed Idris, who hails from Niger State, is the publisher of Blueprint Newspaper.
The media entrepreneur was appointed as Communications Consultant by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2017 to 2021.
Idris has also served as Communications Consultant on the Promotion of Nomadic Education in Northern Nigeria by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2007 to 2009.
He facilitated the Design and Implementation of Strategic Communications Guidelines for the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in 2019-2022.
He has Masters in English Language from Bayero University Kano.
Senator Abubakar Kyari
Abubakar Kyari is the acting national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress. Kyari was the senator representing Borno North Senatorial District of Borno State at the National Assembly from 2015 to April 2022 when he resigned.
Born 15 January 1963, Kyari was educated both in Nigeria and the United States of America. He attended Kaduna Capital School in 1974. He then proceeded to Barewa College Zaria where he obtained his WASSCE In 1979.
He attended the University of Tennessee Martin in the USA where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in 1986. Thereafter in 1989, he attended Webster University St.Louis Missouri USA for his Masters in Business Administration (MBA).
Engineer Abubakar Momoh
Engr. Abubakar Momoh is a Civil engineer from from Etsako East LGA of Edo State.
Momoh was a two-time member of the House of Representatives.
He defected from the APC and went to PDP in 2019 and contested the party’s ticket in the Edo North senatorial election but lost. He later returned to the APC.
Sani Abubakar Danladi
Sani Abubakar Danladi was born on 20 May 1967 in Bachama, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Danladi, a former Acting Governor and Deputy Governor of Taraba State has also served as the Senator representing Taraba North Senatorial Zone on the People’s Democratic Party before he was impeached.
He defected to the All Progressives Congress and contested for the governorship seat in 2019 but lost to Darius Ishaku of the PDP.
