President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to screen and confirm Kingsley Tochukwu Ude, SAN, from Enugu State, as a minister in his cabinet.

The nomination was read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who subsequently referred it to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration and screening.

This development follows the resignation of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, who stepped down last month amid controversy surrounding his academic credentials from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and his NYSC discharge certificate.

Nnaji’s resignation left a vacuum in the Tinubu administration and temporarily deprived Enugu State of ministerial representation in the federal cabinet. The confirmation of Kingsley Ude is expected to restore the state’s representation in the government.