President Bola Tinubu has nominated Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Ude, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and current Attorney General of Enugu State, to serve as a Minister of the Federal Republic, replacing Uche Nnaji.
The President’s request was conveyed in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session at the National Assembly. Senator Akpabio immediately referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for consideration and screening, suggesting a potentially expedited confirmation process.
Ude’s nomination follows the resignation of Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, who stepped down amid a certificate controversy involving alleged discrepancies in his academic qualifications from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and questions surrounding his NYSC discharge certificate. His resignation left Enugu State without representation in the federal cabinet.
As Enugu State’s Commissioner for Justice, Ude’s elevation to ministerial rank is widely seen as a strategic move by the Tinubu administration to restore federal representation for the state while maintaining political balance.
If confirmed, Ude will step into the role vacated by Nnaji and join the President’s cabinet at a time of ongoing political and administrative reshuffling.
