The Senate, on Thursday, confirmed the nomination of Kingsley Udeh (SAN) as minister after his screening at the red chamber in Abuja.
This followed the request by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, that Udeh be confirmed as minister.
The President’s request was contained in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during plenary.
Udeh’s nomination followed the resignation of Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who stepped down last month amid controversy over his academic credentials — including questions surrounding a degree allegedly obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Nnaji, the only cabinet member from Enugu State, resigned after mounting public pressure and calls for his replacement, leaving the state without representation in the Federal Executive Council.
After reading the President’s letter on Tuesday, Akpabio referred Udeh’s nomination to the Committee of the Whole for screening and further legislative action.
At a resumed sitting on Thursday, the Senate suspended its rules to admit the committee and other personalities who accompanied him to the screening. Udeh was led into the chambers by the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado.
Akpabio said Udeh’s screening did not hold on Wednesday because the Senate didn’t get the required security clearance about him.
He disclosed that Udeh’s clearance report came in late Wednesday and it indicated that he has no criminal record.
After a few questions in the chamber, the nominee was asked to take a bow and leave and he was subsequently confirmed by the Senate. Daily Trust