President Bola Tinubu Swears In Two New Ministers
On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu administered the oath of office to 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 meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) since July 2025.
The swearing-in of Doro and Udeh restored cabinet representation for Plateau and Enugu states, which had been without ministerial presence in recent weeks. This move is seen as an effort to ensure broader regional representation within the government.
Dr Bernard Doro: A New Addition to the Cabinet
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.
Doro, hailing from Kwall in Bassa LGA of Plateau State, has 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 marks a significant addition to the cabinet, bringing expertise in public health and administration to the ministry.
Dr Kingsley Udeh: Replacing a Controversial Figure
Meanwhile, Dr Kingsley Udeh, who previously served as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Enugu State, replaces Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. Nnaji resigned on October 7, 2025, following controversies over his academic records at the University of Nigeria, Nsuka.
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 shortly thereafter. His appointment brings a new perspective to the ministry, with a focus on legal and administrative reforms.
Their swearing-in brings Tinubu’s cabinet size to 48 ministers, reflecting a continued effort to build a diverse and capable leadership team.
Economic Reforms and Investor Confidence
Following the brief swearing-in 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.
Edun highlighted that the 2.35-billion-dollar Eurobond was oversubscribed by 453 per cent, attracting 13 billion dollars in orders. He stated, “The next phase of reforms will remove barriers holding back investors. We will review tariffs and import restrictions to stimulate productivity and investment.”
He 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 the Future
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.