President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday reshuffled his cabinet with eleven (11) ministers affected in the adjustment, after thirty-eight (8) months into his second tenure that began counting from May 29, 2022 and seven months before the 2023 presidential election in the country.
The President also administered an oath of office to seven newly appointed ministers recently confirmed by the Senate.
The new ministers took the oath of office shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Council Chamber.
He urged the new ministerial appointees to consider their emergence as a call to duty that demands diligent service to the nation.
Those sworn in are Henry Ikoh (Abia), Umana Okon Umana (Akwa-Ibom), Udi Odum (Rivers), Ademola Adegoroye (Ondo), Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub (Kano), Goodluck Nana Opiah (Imo) and Ekumankama Nkama (Ebonyi).
The seven (7) ministers where those whose appointments were confirmed by the senate on June 29 and were sworn in by the president before the federal executive council (FEC) meeting.
The Swearing took place in batches with the first batch sworn in included Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh; Abia State, Umana Okon Umana; Akwa Ibom State, Odum Odih; Rivers State, and Ademola Adewole Adegoroye; Ondo State.
The second batch sworn in comprised Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub; Kano State, Goodluck Nnana Opiah; Imo State, and Egwumakama Joseph Nkama; Ebonyi State.
The new ministers replace those who resigned their appointments to contest for various elective offices during the 2023 general elections in April.
It could be recalled that those that resigned and were replaced includes Rotimi Amaechi, who was a former minister of Transportation; Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio; Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu; the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uche Ogah; and Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Tayo Alasoadura.
Before the council meeting, a minute of silence was observed in honour of the outgoing Secretary-General of OPEC Mohammed Barkindo who died on Tuesday evening, hours after meeting with Buhari.
Meanwhile, physically in attendance is the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.
Other Ministers who were also in attendance include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige; Education Minister, Adamu Adamu; Communications and Digital Economy Minister, Isa Pantami; Mines and Steel Minister, Olamilekan Adegbite; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva; Minister of State for Budget, National Planning, Clem Agba, and Minister of State for Industry Trade and Investment, Maryam Katagun.
The Head service of the Federation Folashade Yemi Esan and some other Ministers are attending virtually from their various offices in Abuja.
Meanwhile, President Buhari has assigned the new Ministers portfolios while carrying out a minor cabinet reshuffle.
The erstwhile Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adeleke Mamora was redeployed to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation as the substantive Minister, while the erstwhile Minister of State for Works and Housing, Muazu Jaji Sambo, was moved to the Ministry of Transportation in the same capacity.
The adjustment in cabinet affected Adeleke Mamora, who was formerly minister of state for health, has been deployed to Science and technology while Mu’azu Sambo has been directed to resume at the Ministry of transportation after managing the country’s power.
Also affected by the President’s decision was Gbemisola Saraki, who has been asked to resume as the minister of state for mines and steel development ending over three years stinct in transportation.
The former minister of state for environment, Sharon Ikeazor, has been deployed as the minister of state for Niger Delta and would be working with the newly appointed minister, Okon-Umanna who would oversee the ministry.
Umar EI-Yakub has been asked to resume as the minister of state for works, and housing, Goodluck Opiah as minister of state, Education and Ekumankama Nkama as Minister of State for Health.
Others were Ikoh Ikechukwu is the new minister of state for Science and Technology, Odum Udi as Minister of State, Environment and Ademola Adegoroye to replace Saraki as Minister of State for Transportation
Speaking through Femi Adesina, his media aide, the president said the changes were sequel to the “tradition of subjecting our projects and programmes implementation to independent and critical self-review”.
He added that “These significant review steps have helped to identify and strengthen weak areas, close gaps, build cohesion and synergy in governance, manage the economy and improve the delivery of public good to Nigerians.”
