President Tinubu Nominates Enugu’s Attorney-General, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, for Ministerial Role

In a significant move to bolster his federal executive team, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, the current Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Enugu State, for a ministerial position. The nomination, which was formally communicated to the Nigerian Senate, signals a strategic addition to the nation’s leadership cadre.

A Formal Request for Confirmation

The nomination was officially presented during a Senate plenary session on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the letter from President Tinubu, which explicitly urged the upper legislative chamber to confirm Dr. Udeh’s appointment.

The presidential letter stated, “I am pleased to forward to the Senate the nomination of Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, for confirmation as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” President Tinubu further expressed his hope that the Senate would give the matter its “usual expeditious consideration.” In response, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for immediate deliberation, setting the stage for the confirmation process.

Profile of the Nominee: Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN

Dr. Kingsley Udeh brings a wealth of legal expertise and governmental experience to the table. As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the highest recognition for legal practitioners in the country, he has distinguished himself in the field of law. His current role as the chief law officer of Enugu State has provided him with intimate knowledge of sub-national governance, justice administration, and policy implementation.

This background is expected to be invaluable in his potential new role at the federal level, where he will be tasked with contributing to national policy and legislative frameworks.

Filling a Vacancy in the Federal Executive

This nomination is not occurring in a vacuum. Dr. Udeh is poised to fill the ministerial vacancy left by Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, who recently resigned from his position as the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology. Both individuals hail from Enugu State, ensuring that the state’s representation in the Federal Executive Council remains intact.

The swift nomination underscores the Tinubu administration’s focus on maintaining a full and functional cabinet, ensuring that all regions of the country are adequately represented in the federal government’s decision-making processes.

A Pattern of Strategic Appointments

President Tinubu’s nomination of Dr. Udeh appears to be part of a broader pattern of strategic appointments aimed at strengthening his administration. Just recently, the President forwarded the name of Dr. Bernard Doro from Plateau State to the Senate for confirmation as a minister.

That nomination filled the vacancy created by the elevation of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda to the position of National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Dr. Doro, like Udeh, brings over two decades of professional experience from both within Nigeria and abroad, highlighting a preference for nominees with robust and diverse backgrounds.

What Lies Ahead: The Senate Confirmation Process

The next critical step for Dr. Kingsley Udeh is the Senate confirmation hearing. During this process, senators will scrutinize his credentials, professional history, and vision for national development. Given his profile as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a serving state Attorney-General, he is expected to face a thorough but favorable vetting process.

The expeditious consideration requested by the President suggests an urgency to onboard the new minister quickly. If confirmed, Dr. Udeh will join the ranks of the Federal Executive Council, where he will be assigned a specific portfolio by President Tinubu. His legal background could see him placed in a ministry related to justice, interior, or even a strategic role in economic planning, though the final decision rests with the President.

Implications for Governance and National Development

The infusion of seasoned professionals like Dr. Udeh into the federal cabinet is widely seen as a positive step for governance. His experience in the Enugu State justice system, dealing with everything from legal reforms to civil litigation, provides a practical, ground-level perspective that can inform federal policies.

As Nigeria continues to navigate complex economic and security challenges, the expertise and integrity of its ministers are paramount. The nomination of a legal luminary of Dr. Udeh’s caliber is a signal of the administration’s commitment to appointing competent hands to steer the nation forward.

As the Senate begins its work, the nation watches, anticipating the addition of another capable minister to President Tinubu’s team. The confirmation of Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh would mark another chapter in the ongoing effort to build a robust and effective federal government.

Credit: This report is based on original journalism by Adekunle Dada of Legit.ng.