•Bianca Ojukwu
In a major cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, October 23, President Bola Tinubu, made significant changes to his ministerial team, sacking five ministers, redeploying 10 others, and nominating seven new candidates. The shake-up comes as a response to mounting public pressure over Nigeria’s economic challenges and concerns about ministerial performance.
The reorganisation affects the cabinet that Tinubu, the former Lagos State governor, assembled in August 2023, a few months after taking office. It also addresses two previous vacancies created by the suspension of Betta Edu and the senatorial move of Simon Lalong.
The president’s decisive action marks one of the most significant changes to his administration since taking office last year.
Read the profiles of the newly appointed ministers below:
1.Yusuf Abdullahi Ata (Minister-designate Housing and Urban Development) emerges as one of the new ministers, bringing with him over three decades of experience spanning education, public service and legislative leadership.
Born on June 22, 1962, in Fagge town, Kano State, Ata’s journey in public service represents a steady climb through various positions of responsibility. He holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Development Studies from Bayero University, Kano (BUK), establishing his credentials in economic development and policy-making.
His career began in the education sector, where he served as a classroom teacher at Shekara Government Secondary School, Kano, from 1985 to 1992, following his National Youth Service Corps year in Sokoto State. He later advanced to the position of State Inspector of Business Education at the Kano Educational Resource Centre (KERD).
Ata’s political career gained momentum in 1999 when he was first elected to the Kano State House of Assembly. He would go on to serve multiple terms, culminating in his role as Speaker from 2017 to 2018. Prior to becoming Speaker, he held the position of Majority Leader from 2015 to 2017, demonstrating his leadership capabilities within the legislative chamber.#His executive experience includes serving as Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on Assembly Matters (2003-2007) and Senior Special Assistant on Education Matters (2008-2010). Before his ministerial appointment, Ata served as Federal Commissioner at the Public Complaints Commission since July 2024, where he has been working to address citizen grievances and improve public service delivery.#The new minister’s commitment to education extends beyond his professional duties, as evidenced by his ongoing role as PTA Chairman in Fagge Local Government since 2018. This combination of grassroots involvement, legislative leadership, and executive experience positions him uniquely for his new role in President Tinubu’s cabinet.#The appointment of Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata represents a blend of educational expertise, legislative experience, and public service that aligns with the administration’s focus on effective governance and national development.
2.Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda (Minister-designate Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction ) emerges as a notable appointee, bringing a unique blend of academic excellence, technological expertise, and electoral management experience to the federal executive council.#A distinguished Professor of Computer Engineering, Yilwatda’s career spans academia, public service, and politics. His educational journey, culminating in a PhD in Electronic Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2013), has equipped him with advanced technical knowledge crucial for Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Perhaps most significantly, Yilwatda served as INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State from 2017 to 2021, where he left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s electoral system. During his tenure, he pioneered several innovative initiatives, including:- Development of the voting framework for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)- Creation of voting protocols for People Living with Disabilities- Evaluation of Electronic Voting Machines and BVAS technology- Implementation of IDP schools and women empowerment programs in Benue camps#His electoral management experience spans crucial polls across multiple states, including the Anambra and Osun governorship elections, the 2019 general elections in Benue and Rivers states, and the controversial Kogi West Senatorial District recall process.#At the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he served until 2022, Yilwatda distinguished himself as Director of Information and Communication Technology, earning recognition as Best Staff of the Year in 2012. His international exposure includes certification from the United Nations University in China, where he studied Electronic Governance foundations.
The professor’s expertise has been sought by various international organisations, including UNIDO, World Bank, and UNICEF, where he led numerous technical projects across Africa. His contributions to renewable energy and ICT infrastructure development have been particularly noteworthy, including leading energy audit teams and implementing solar power solutions across Nigeria.
Recently, Yilwatda ventured into politics, emerging as the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate for Plateau State in the 2023 elections. He also served as the Chairman of the APC General Election Campaign Council and Coordinator of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council in Plateau State.#His membership in professional bodies, including the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), underscores his technical credentials.
3.Bianca Olivia Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Minister of State-designate, Foreign Affairs), former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, has emerged as one of the seven newly appointed ministers, bringing a wealth of diplomatic experience and legal expertise to the federal cabinet.
Ojukwu, a 56-year-old widow from Nnewi North LGA of Anambra State, boasts an impressive track record in international relations and diplomacy, having served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain from 2012 to 2015. During this period, she concurrently held the position of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Her educational background spans continents, with a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio, Madrid, Spain (2016-2018). She also holds diplomas in Human Rights and International Relations from Berg Institute, Madrid, and in Dynamics of Conflict and Cooperation from the University for Peace, Costa Rica.#A legal practitioner by training, Ojukwu obtained her LLB (Hons.) from the University of Nigeria (1987-1991) and was called to the Nigerian Bar after completing her studies at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos. Her early education was primarily in prestigious institutions in England, including Cambridge Tutorial College and Ackworth School.
Prior to her diplomatic posting, she served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora matters, where she played a pivotal role in engaging with Nigeria’s diaspora community and contributing to the development of the Diaspora Bill. Her experience extends to the private sector, where she has managed various business ventures including BiancaBlend Products Ltd and held directorships in several companies.
Notably, Ojukwu has maintained a strong commitment to humanitarian causes, founding the Hope House Trust for juvenile offender rehabilitation and co-founding Shelter, an organisation providing refuge for the homeless. Most recently, she served as Secretary of the Anambra State Truth, Justice and Peace Commission, addressing regional security challenges in the South East.
Her appointment brings to the federal cabinet a blend of international exposure, legal expertise, and extensive experience in public service, particularly in diplomacy and diaspora relations. Her background in conflict resolution and peace-building could prove valuable in addressing national challenges.
4.Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad (Minister of State -designate Education) emerges as one of the newly appointed ministers, bringing to the federal cabinet a rich blend of academic excellence and practical experience in education and governance.
Dr. Ahmad, an Associate Professor from Jigawa State, has carved a distinctive path in Nigeria’s education sector with over 18 years of experience in development research. Currently serving as the Provost of Jigawa State College of Education, she previously held the position of Director at the Centre for Gender Studies, Bayero University Kano.#Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Science Education from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, completed in 2014. The 43-year-old administrator has consistently demonstrated leadership in various capacities, including roles as Head of Department, Science Education, and Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Education at Bayero University Kano.#As a consultant, Dr. Ahmad has collaborated with international organisations including the British Council, where she secured a research grant in 2015. Her expertise has been sought by notable programs such as Education Data, Research and Evaluation in Nigeria (EDOREN) and Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL).
With particular focus on girl-child education and science education, Dr. Ahmad has contributed significantly to educational research, publishing numerous papers in respected academic journals. Her research work spans various critical areas including gender differential in science education, teacher effectiveness, and the application of technology in teaching.
Her recent work with The Policy Practice on the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria Education as an advisor underscores her commitment to educational reform and policy development. This experience, combined with her role on the Governing Council of the Jigawa State Manpower Board (2019-2023), positions her well for federal responsibilities.
5. Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad (Minister of State -designate Education) is a trained educationist, gender advocate and consultant. She served in various capacities in the university including level coordinator, examination officer, PG coordinator, Sub Dean Academics, and Head of Department, Science Education.
Her consultancy portfolio centres on governance and development. Dr Ahmad research interests focus around political economy and institutional analysis, policy planning, development and strategy, capacity building and training.
She has participated in funded researches as a consultant, including for the British Council (won a research grant in 2015 as team lead), Education Data, Research and Evaluation in Nigeria (EDOREN), Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) and Aafaaq Educational Foundation.
6. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Minister-designate Industry, Trade and Investment) is an academic, former government adviser, and advocate. She is currently a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.
Prior to this, she served as Special Adviser to President Buhari on Ease of Doing Business from August 2019 to May 2023.
Before her appointment to this role, Dr. Jumoke was Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade & Investment in the Office of the Vice President. Her team was responsible for Nigeria moving up an unprecedented 39 places in the World Bank’s flagship Doing Business Report.
Dr. Oduwole led a corporate banking unit of the telecommunications sector team in Guaranty Trust Bank Plc’s Corporate Banking Group. She was an investment banker with FCMB Capital Markets Ltd from 2000 to 2003.
She was on the boards of Ecobank Nigeria Plc and Positive Action for Treatment Access (PATA), a leading HIV/AIDS advocacy NGO; as well as the Advisory Board of the “Know Your Constitution” Initiative, a civil liberties movement pioneered by a United Nations Young Ambassador for Peace.
Dr. Oduwole graduated from University of Lagos with a Bachelor’s degree in Law in 1998 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1999.#She obtained an LL.M. degree in Commercial Law from Cambridge University in 2000, where she was a DFID-Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Scholar. In 2007, Dr. Oduwole received a master’s degree in International Legal Studies from Stanford University and obtained her doctorate degree in International Trade and Development from Stanford Law School.
7. Mukhtar Maiha is the Managing Director of Zaidi Farms Limited. If cleared he will be the pioneer minister of Livestock Development.
