On July 27, 2023, President Bola Tinubu forwarded the nation’s Senate the list of eagerly expected cabinet nominations.

Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of staff for President Tinubu, officially delivered the list, which included twenty-eight nominees, to Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate. The Senate President gave out the names of the nominees on the specified day during Senate plenary; seven people, or 25% of the total, were women.

Webteam@ipledge2nigeria presents brief profiles of the seven women that made the list:

1. Hanatu Musawa

Hannatu Musawa: A distinguished lawyer, newspaper columnist, and Deputy Spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). She holds a degree in law from the University of Buckingham, UK, and has obtained Postgraduate master’s degrees in the Legal Aspects of Marine Affairs from the University of Cardiff, Wales, as well as in Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen. Hannatu Musawa is currently pursuing a Doctorate on a part-time basis. Her previous appointment was as Special Adviser on Culture and Entertainment Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June.

2. Beta Edu

Dr. Betta Edu: At 36 years old, Dr. Betta Edu is one of the younger nominees. She has garnered valuable experience as the former Cross River State Commissioner for Health and the Chairman of the Cross River State COVID-19 Taskforce. Prior to these positions, she served as Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Cross River State on Community and Primary Healthcare. Dr. Betta Edu is also recognized for her role as the national chairman of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum.

3. Hon Nkiru Onyejeocha

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha: A distinguished legislator representing the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State in the Federal House of Representatives. She has a rich political background, having previously served as the Executive Transition Chairman of the Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State and as the Commissioner for Resource Management and Manpower Development in Abia State’s executive cabinet. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha was also awarded the title of the most vibrant female legislator in Nigeria by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASSAN) during the 7th assembly.

4. Stella Okotete

Stella Okotete: An accomplished professional, Stella Okotete holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from Benson Idahosa University, Benin City. In addition to this, she possesses a Diploma in Law from the Rivers State College of Arts and Sciences and a Master’s degree in Public Administration, Peace Studies, and Conflict Resolution. Stella has augmented her qualifications with prestigious certificate programs, including the Harvard Kennedy School Certificate Programme for Emerging Leaders and the Entrepreneurial Management program at the Lagos Business School. She previously held the position of National Women’s Leader of the APC Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and also served as the Executive Director, Business Development, at the Nigeria Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank. Furthermore, she gained valuable experience as the Special Assistant and Adviser to the Executive Governor of Delta State on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) from 2011 to 2015.

5. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye

Uju Kennedy Ohaneye: A prominent businesswoman with interests in real estate and education, Uju Kennedy Ohaneye demonstrated her support for President Tinubu by stepping down as the sole female presidential aspirant under the APC during the convention due to their close relationship.

6. Iman Suleiman Ibrahim

Iman Suleiman Ibrahim was educated at the University of Abuja with a degree in sociology. She was the director-general of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) between 2020 and 2021.In 2021, she was redeployed as the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

7. Doris Aniche Uzoka

Uzoka is the current Imo State Commissioner for Finance. She has also served as the SA Presidential Policy Advisory Council (National Economy). Uzoka is said to have had decades of political and professional affinity with Lagos and was an easy pick for Tinubu because of her background in the finance sector.

She has little or no scandal associated with her name.