President Bola Tinubu has announced the first batch of his cabinet members, appointing former governors Nyesom Wike and Dave Umahi as the ministers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Works, respectively. The president also named Festus Keyamo, a senior advocate of Nigeria, as the minister of aviation and aerospace development.
The appointments were made public on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, after Tinubu received the approval of the Senate for his nominees. Tinubu said he chose the ministers based on their track records, competence, and loyalty to the ruling party.
Wike, who was the governor of Rivers state from 2015 to 2023, is expected to oversee the development and administration of the nation’s capital. He is known for his infrastructural projects and his outspoken criticism of the previous administration.
Umahi, who was the governor of Ebonyi state from 2015 to 2023, is expected to handle the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, and other public works. He is known for his defection from the opposition party to the ruling party in 2020 and his agricultural initiatives.
Keyamo, who was the director of strategic communications for Tinubu’s campaign in 2023, is expected to manage the aviation sector and promote the development of aerospace technology. He is known for his legal activism and his anti-corruption stance.
Tinubu said he would assign portfolios to other ministers soon and urged them to work hard to deliver on his campaign promises⁴. He also thanked Nigerians for their support and trust in his leadership.
