President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to confirm the nominations of Sola Enikanolaiye as minister of state for foreign affairs, and Joseph Tegbe as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Tinubu’s request, which was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday, was conveyed in separate letters addressed to the Senate.
Citing Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to nominate ministers subject to Senate confirmation, President Tinubu urged lawmakers to give the request prompt consideration.
The President also sought confirmation of Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
In the letter seeking confirmation of Enikanolaiye, Tinubu said the nomination was made in line with section 147(2) of the 1999 constitution (as amended), and urged the senate to give it consideration.
The letter was referred to the committee of the whole for “urgent” legislative action.
If confirmed, Enikanolaiye will serve as minister of state for ministry of foreign affairs.
In a related communication, the president also requested the senate to confirm Umar as chief executive of the NMDPRA in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.
Tinubu noted that the appointment followed the removal of Saidu Mohammed as head of the regulatory agency on April 29, paving the way for Umar’s nomination.
The request for Umar’s confirmation was referred to the senate committee on downstream petroleum and gas for further legislative scrutiny.
Akpabio said the senate would give the requests expedited consideration, noting the strategic importance of the petroleum sector to the country’s economy.
He added that the screening and confirmation processes would be concluded in the coming days.
