Reps pass bill mandating portfolios for ministerial nominees

The House of Representatives has advanced a bill which aims to mandate the inclusion of specific portfolios in the nomination lists for Ministers and Commissioners submitted by the President and State Governors.

Sponsor of the bill, Okechukwu Dibiagwu, highlighted that attaching portfolios to nominees would allow lawmakers in the national and state assemblies to conduct effective and targeted scrutiny during confirmation processes.

In his lead debate, sponsor of the bill, Okechukwu Dibiagwu argued that attaching portfolios to the list of nominations for ministerial positions will enhance thorough scrutiny of nominees by lawmakers at the national and state assemblies.

Another bill proposing an extension of the retirement age of health workers in Nigeria also scaled second reading.

Over the years, presidents have often sent a list of ministerial nominees to the National Assembly without portfolios attached to it.

However, President Bola Tinubu recently included portfolios in the list of seven ministerial nominees he sent to the National Assembly.

If passed, the bill would make it mandatory for both governors and the president to attach portfolios to nominees for public office appointment.