President Muhammadu Buhari reshuffled his cabinet on Wednesday, seven months before the country’s presidential election in 2023.
In addition, the President administered the oath of office to seven newly appointed ministers who had just been confirmed by the Senate.
The new ministers took the oath of office in the Council Chamber just prior to the start of the Federal Executive Council meeting.
He advised the new ministerial appointees to view their appointment as a call to serve the nation with diligence.
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 new ministers replace individuals who quit their posts to run for various elective positions in the April 2023 national elections.
Before the council meeting, a moment of silence was observed in memory of outgoing OPEC Secretary-General Mohammed Barkindo, who passed away on Tuesday evening only hours after meeting with President Buhari.
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bose Mustapha, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, are also present.
Ministers of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite; Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva are also physically present at the meeting.
Folashade Yemi Esan, the Head of Service for the Federation, and other Ministers are participating electronically from their offices in Abuja.
