President Bola Tinubu officially inducted two new ministers, Kingsley Udeh and Bernard Doro, into his cabinet on Thursday, just prior to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The swearing-in ceremony formalized their positions, with both nominees having received prior confirmation from the Senate.

Kingsley Udeh, hailing from Enugu State, assumes the role previously held by Uche Nnaji, who resigned as the Minister of Science and Technology. Nnaji's departure followed a PREMIUM TIMES investigation that uncovered allegations of forged bachelor’s degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates. During his Senate screening, Mr. Udeh, a legal scholar and public policy expert, emphasized his commitment to contributing to President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, leveraging his extensive background in research, academia, governance, and development expertise. Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Mr. Udeh as a "suitable choice" and "fit and proper" minister, expressing optimism about his contributions to the federal cabinet.

Mr. Udeh's profile reveals a distinguished career. Born on November 14, 1980, in Ozalla, Nkanu West Local Government Area, he served as Enugu State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice before his federal appointment. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) with Second Class Upper Honours from the University of Nigeria (2005), followed by his call to the Nigerian Bar in 2006. He further pursued a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Public International Law from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, graduating with distinction, and earned a Doctor of Laws (PhD) in Public Law from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, in 2018. A Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Mr. Udeh also holds various certifications in strategic leadership, financial management, and public finance from prestigious institutions such as NIPSS, GIZ, DFID, and the United Nations Department of Safety and Security. He is the founder and principal partner of T.K. Udeh & Associates, a multidisciplinary law and consulting firm that has provided counsel to significant institutions including the Attorney General of the Federation, EFCC, INEC, World Bank, UNICEF, UNDP, EU, DFID, and several state governments. As Enugu's Attorney General, Mr. Udeh spearheaded judicial reforms, promoted transparency initiatives, digitalized court processes, and facilitated the enactment of over 30 reform laws, notably the Enugu State Electricity Law 2023. He also established Citizens’ Rights and Mediation Centres to enhance access to justice. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Udeh has lectured at the University of Nigeria, Baze University, and the Nigerian Law School. He is a Fellow of the African Procurement Law Unit and a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers, and the Public Procurement Research Group at the University of Nottingham. He is married to Chinagolum Tochi-Udeh, also a lawyer, and they have children.

Bernard Doro, representing Plateau State, steps into the role of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, succeeding Nentawe Yilwatda. Mr. Yilwatda, a professor, recently resigned to take on the position of national chairperson of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr. Doro's appointment had been confirmed by the Senate in late October. He is recognized as a registered pharmacist and healthcare strategist with over two decades of experience spanning clinical practice, management, and humanitarian efforts both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. His career commenced at Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, before he transitioned to the UK, where he served in the National Health Service (NHS) as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Independent Prescriber.

Mr. Doro's academic background includes a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Jos, an LL.B from University College London (UCL), an MBA in Information Technology and Business Strategy from the University of Leicester, and an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice from Anglia Ruskin University. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration and an MPhil in Leadership and Management at the Catholic University of Murcia, Spain. A committed humanitarian, he founded the Doro Vision Platform, an initiative dedicated to mentoring young Nigerians and empowering vulnerable groups. His service has been recognized with a Doctor of Humane Letters (D.H.L.), honoris causa, from El Roi London University. Furthermore, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders of Nigeria and a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (UK). Prior to his ministerial appointment, Mr. Doro served as the financial secretary of the APC’s United Kingdom chapter. He is widely regarded as a disciplined leader and a reform-minded professional whose vision aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in strengthening social protection and community empowerment.

The Federal Executive Council meeting, presided over by President Tinubu, also included moments of remembrance. The council observed a minute of silence in honor of Solomon Ewuga, a former Minister of State for the FCT under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who also served as deputy governor of Nasarawa State, senator representing Nasarawa North, and ambassador to Angola under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan. Additionally, tribute was paid to Abdullahi Mohammed Adangba, a former chief of staff to both ex-Presidents Obasanjo and Umaru Yar’Adua, who passed away at the age of 86. Key figures present at the FEC meeting included George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Didi Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service; Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President; Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, alongside a majority of the cabinet ministers.