Just weeks after Mr. Uche Nnaji stepped down as Minister of Science, Innovation, and Technology amid claims of certificate forgery, President Bola Tinubu has put forward Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN) to take the role.
The appointment of Udeh, presently the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Enugu State, was announced in a letter the President sent to the Senate, which Senate President Godswill Akpabio read aloud during Tuesday’s sitting.
In the letter, Tinubu asked the Senate to fast-track the confirmation process as required by the Constitution.
The letter read in part: “In compliance with the provisions of Section 147, Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I am pleased to forward to the Senate the nomination of Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh for confirmation as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“While I hope that this request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate, please accept, distinguished Senate President and distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest regards.”
After the letter was read, the Senate immediately sent the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for screening and confirmation.
Dr. Udeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Enugu State, is set to occupy the ministerial seat left vacant by Nnaji.
Nnaji, sworn in during August 2023, tendered his resignation last month after persistent allegations of certificate forgery.
His exit followed intense demands from civil society organisations and Enugu political figures for his removal.
By naming Udeh, the Tinubu government aims to rebuild public trust in the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Technology, a key driver of Nigeria’s tech agenda.
The Senate plans to vet the nominee this week and then send its decision to the President.
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