Senate confirms Kingsley Udeh as New Minister

The Senate, today Thursday, in Abuja, has confirmed the nomination of Kingsley Udeh (SAN) as a new minister in the Federal Executive Council. The confirmation follows a request submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, for Udeh to fill the vacancy left by the previous Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, who resigned amid controversy over his academic credentials.
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The ministerial position became vacant last month after Uche Nnaji, the only cabinet member from Enugu State, stepped down. His resignation was prompted by public pressure and questions regarding his academic qualifications, specifically a degree allegedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
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‎Kingsley Udeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was nominated by President Tinubu to replace Nnaji and restore Enugu State’s representation in the federal cabinet.
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for Udeh’s confirmation was read out by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session. The nomination was subsequently referred to the Committee of the Whole for legislative action.
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‎The screening was brief. The Senate suspended its rules to admit the nominee, who was accompanied by the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado. After addressing a few questions from the chamber, Udeh was asked to “take a bow and leave” and was then confirmed. His screening, was delayed because the Senate had not received the necessary security clearance.
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Senate President Godswill Akpabio, after receiving the security report late on Wednesday, disclosed that the nominee has no criminal record, allowing the confirmation process to proceed smoothly.
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Following his confirmation, Kingsley Udeh will be officially sworn in by President Tinubu and assigned a portfolio, likely the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, or another cabinet role.
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