President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, October 23, reshuffled his cabinet by sacking five ministers, reassigning portfolios of ministers and appointing seven new ministerial nominees scheduled to be screened by the Senate. PAUL OKAH peeps into their profiles.
Dr Nentawe Yilwatda (Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction)
Dr Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda is the new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, replacing Betta Edu, who was suspended over 10 months ago over alleged mismanagement of funds related to social welfare programs.
Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau state to the family of late Rev. and Mrs. Toma Yilwatda, the nominee is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
He will be bringing a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as a project consultant for various government initiatives, including Nigeria’s first Integrated Financial Management Information System and the Nigeria Education and Research Network project.
Dr. Yilwatda’s educational background is impressive, holding degrees in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, a Master’s in Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Digital Systems Engineering.
Yilwatda obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1981 and his GCE (O/Level) in 1986 from Boys’ Secondary School, Gindiri. He later earned a degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi in 1992, followed by a Master of Engineering and PhD from ATBU Bauchi and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, respectively.
His expertise extends to building electronic governance structures, having received training from the United Nations University International Institute for Software Technology in Macau, China.
Before his appointment, Dr. Yilwatda was the governorship candidate of the APC in Plateau state in 2023.
Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi (Labour & Employment)
Born in 1953 in Dingyadi, Sokoto, Dingyadi graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1978.
He had his secondary education at Government College Sokoto, and attended the School of Basic Studies for a two-year course.
At different times, he represented Bodinga Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, appointed Secretary to the Sokoto State Government and Chairman, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) Abuja.
Before his recent appointment, Dingyadi served as the Minister of Police Affairs under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, starting from August 2019, an experience many see as making him fit for his new role in overseeing labor and employment matters in Nigeria.
Asa returnee minister charged with the volatile labour and employment matters, Dingyadi must justify his choice with stellar performance.
Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu (Minister of State Foreign Affairs)
Born in August 1968 to a former governor of Anambra state, Christian C. Onoh, and his wife, Carol, the 57-year-old Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is the widow of the late Sir Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, a renowned Nigerian politician and unrepentant Biafran leader.
Bianca studied law at the University of Nigeria Nsukka and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School after her graduation.
In 1994, she married the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and their union produced three children, Chineme, Afamefuna, and Nwachukwu.
Bianca is a multiple international pageant titleholder. She won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Miss Africa, and Miss Intercontinental awards. She also represented Nigeria at the Miss World in Hong Kong, Miss Universe in Mexico and was Nigeria’s ambassador to Spain in 2012.
As Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca will play a key role in promoting Nigeria’s interests globally and fostering diplomatic relationships with other countries.
Bianca was controversially involved in a public row with Ebelechukwu Obiano, wife of the immediate past Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano, on March 17, 2022 at the inauguration of the Professor Charles Soludo as governor.
Her reason, according to Arise News: “…when she got to where I was seated, she verbally attacked me with her voice raised, taunting me and asking me what I was there to do and using unprintable vile language.”
“This very act is considered a sacrilege to a titled matriarch such as myself in Igbo culture. It was at this point that I stood up to defend myself and gave her a dirty slap to stop her from attacking me,” she added.
Dr Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade and Investment)
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole is Nigeria’s newly appointed Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. Born in Lagos state, Dr. Oduwole obtained her LL.B from the University of Lagos, LL.M from Cambridge University, England, and Master’s degree in International Legal Studies and PhD from Stanford University, USA.
Before her appointment, Dr. Oduwole served as the Special Adviser to the President on Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) & Investment.
She was also the pioneer Executive Secretary of PEBEC, where she facilitated policies to support small and medium-sized enterprises.
Dr. Oduwole’s experience spans various roles. They include Corporate Banking Unit Lead at GTB, Investment Banker.at FCMB Capital Markets, Board Member of Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Visiting Scholar at University of Houston Law Center, Houston, VP, Africa Association of International Law, Fellow, Archbishop Desmond Tutu African Leadership Institute and Member, Nigerian and American Societies of International Law.
Her work has focused on improving Nigeria’s business environment, and under her leadership, the country moved up 39 places in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking.
Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Livestock Development)
The Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), established by President Tinubu months ago, had been overseen by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, who had effectively managed the ministry while awaiting the appointment of a substantive minister.
Born in Maiha Local Government Area, Borno State, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar is a graduate of University of Maiduguri (Agriculture) and obtained a Master’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Ibadan.
At several times, Mukhtar was a Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Borno state, former Director, Borno State Ministry of Agriculture, Member, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, Member, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute.
Mukhtar, who is also the Managing Director and CEO of Zaidi Farms Ltd in Kaduna, is well-regarded in the livestock sector. His farm boasts of over 250 cattle, including Friesian, Simmental, and Jersey breeds, and features modern facilities such as pen houses, a milk parlor, tractors, and hay barns.
Mukhtar has set a high standard in the Nigerian dairy industry, with plans to enhance his cattle assets by focusing on Jersey breeds known for their cost-effectiveness, docility, and high milk yield.
As the pioneer minister, his appointment is seen as critical, especially in addressing issues such as the ongoing herder-farmer conflicts and improving the livestock industry’s contribution to national food security.
Yusuf Abdullahi Ata (Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development)
Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, who is expected to bring decades of experience in both the political and public service sectors to bear in his new role, was born on June 22, 1962, in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State and has built a reputation as a dedicated public servant, educator, and economist.
Ata had his early education in his hometown, beginning at Fagge Primary School from 1968 to 1975. He furthered his studies at Aminu Kano Community Commercial College between 1975 and 1980, laying a foundation for his future career in economics and public service. The minister-designate earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Bayero University, Kano (BUK) in 1984 and later a Master’s degree in Development Studies in 2001.
Ata’s professional journey began in the education sector as a classroom teacher. His career transitioned in 1992 when he joined the Kano State Ministry of Education, serving as an inspector in Business Education. His administrative capabilities were further recognised when he was appointed as Principal Planning Officer at the Kano State Housing Corporation in 1997. However, after a brief period, Ata left civil service in 1998 to pursue a career in politics.
Ata’s foray into politics began with his election to the Kano State House of Assembly in 1999, representing the Fagge constituency under the banner of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Though he lost his seat in the 2003 elections, his resilience saw him re-elected in 2011 and again in 2015, marking his third term in the state Assembly.
In 2015, Ata’s influence in the Assembly was solidified following his emergence as Majority Leader. His leadership culminated in his election as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly in 2017, taking over from Kabiru Alhassan Rurum who resigned.
However, Ata’s tenure as Speaker was short-lived; in July 2018, he was impeached by 27 out of 40- member legislature, with claims that he was unable to effectively manage the affairs of the House. Despite these setbacks, his political career continued to flourish.
Suwaiba Said Ahmad PhD, (Minister of State Education)
Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad was born on February 13, 1981, in Jigawa state, Nigeria. She is a respected educationist and passionate advocate for gender equality.
Dr. Ahmad holds an impressive array of qualifications that reflect her commitment to education and her depth of expertise in the field:
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Science Education from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (2014), Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum Studies from Bayero University, Kano (2009), Bachelor of Science Education (B.Sc. Ed) in Chemistry from Bayero University, Kano (2003).
Her academic background provides her with a strong foundation to address the educational challenges facing Nigeria, particularly in science education and gender equity in education.
With over 18 years of experience in both academia and consultancy, Dr. Ahmad has played a key role in promoting girl-child education and driving educational reforms in Nigeria.
As Minister of State for Education, the nominee’s expertise in curriculum studies and education will contribute to Nigeria’s efforts at revamping the sinking sector.