Presidential Oath Ceremony Marks New Chapter for Nigeria’s Cabinet
On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu administered the oath of office to two new ministers, Dr Bernard Doro and Dr Kingsley Udeh, officially inducting them into the Federal Executive Council. The ceremony took place at 1:52 p.m. inside the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja, just minutes before the start of the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting since July 2025.
This swearing-in event restored cabinet representation for Plateau and Enugu states, which had been without ministerial presence in recent weeks. The addition of these two ministers marks a significant shift in the composition of the government and signals a renewed focus on regional balance within the executive branch.
Dr. Bernard Doro: A Leader with a Rich Background
Dr. Bernard Doro, a UK-trained clinical practitioner and seasoned pharmaceutical and public health administrator, was nominated by President Tinubu on October 21 to replace Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who vacated the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction after becoming the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress on July 31, 2025.
Hailing from Kwall, Bassa LGA of Plateau State, Dr. Doro brings over two decades of combined experience in clinical medicine, pharmacy, and IT-driven health strategy. According to the Presidency, he holds multiple degrees, including in Pharmacy, Law, and Advanced Clinical Practice, and has served extensively within the UK’s National Health Service.
His appointment underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the humanitarian and poverty reduction sectors, especially in regions that have long been underserved.
Dr. Kingsley Udeh: A Legal Expert Takes the Helm
Meanwhile, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Enugu State, replaces Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who resigned on October 7, 2025, following controversies over his academic records at the University of Nigeria, Nsuka.
Dr. Udeh, recently conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was nominated by the President on November 4 and was confirmed by the Senate soon afterwards. His appointment reflects the administration’s emphasis on legal expertise and integrity in key governmental roles.
Their swearing-in brings Tinubu’s cabinet size to 48 ministers, marking a significant expansion of the executive branch’s capacity to address national challenges.
Economic Reforms and Investor Confidence
Following the brief ceremony, President Tinubu presided over the FEC meeting, the first since July 31. Before the meeting went into a closed session, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, informed the council that Nigeria’s return to the international capital market had drawn strong investor confidence.
The 2.35-billion-dollar Eurobond was oversubscribed by 453 per cent, attracting 13 billion dollars in orders. “The next phase of reforms will remove barriers holding back investors. We will review tariffs and import restrictions to stimulate productivity and investment,” he stated.
Edun added that a detailed review of the Federation and federal balance sheets is underway to optimize Asset Management for inclusive growth. “We are improving fiscal reporting and budget realism, tightening expenditure frameworks and ensuring reforms gains are made available to all Nigerians,” he said.
A Vision for Peace and Prosperity
President Tinubu welcomed the outcome, noting that despite political headwinds, Nigeria continues to engage global partners, strengthen its diplomatic ties, and rebuild confidence in its economy. He emphasized that the task ahead remains to defeat terrorism and deliver a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria.