President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the Senate to confirm Prof. Melvin Ayogu as a member of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Board of Directors and Mr. Nwakuche Ndidi as the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCOS).
The request was disclosed by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, March 12. According to Vanguard, Tinubu’s nominations were conveyed in separate letters to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during the plenary session on Tuesday, March 11.
Tinubu Calls for Swift Approval
In his letters, Tinubu emphasized the importance of these appointments in advancing institutional reforms and ensuring effective governance. He urged lawmakers to expedite the screening and confirmation process to maintain smooth operations in the affected agencies.
The Senate is expected to refer the nominations to relevant committees for screening before making a final decision.
Public Reactions Spark Debate
The nominations have triggered mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians questioning the ethnic composition of Tinubu’s appointments, while others dismissed the criticism.
A Twitter user, @t_adblack, questioned the regional balance in the president’s selections, stating:
“Are there no more Yoruba candidates available for the appointment? You must put a Yoruba man there!”
Similarly, @Ejioforchurch raised concerns about the correctional service appointment:
“Is there no other Yoruba man fit for the prison job? Since every position now is for the Yorubas.”
However, other users downplayed the controversy. @Sequences0001 argued:
“Nobody, absolutely nobody, sent you to appoint them. You filled all critical sectors of government with your tribesmen. Appointing these two into useless positions no concern us.”
On a humorous note, @EPLplayers joked:
“At least, Akpabio go get work to do instead of chasing women up and down.”
What Comes Next?
With the Senate set to begin the confirmation process, political analysts and stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation. If approved, Prof. Ayogu will contribute to shaping Nigeria’s monetary policies at the CBN, while Mr. Ndidi will oversee the country’s correctional services.
The screening process is expected to commence in the coming days, during which lawmakers will assess the nominees’ qualifications, experience, and plans for their respective roles.
More Appointments in the Works
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has also appointed Dr. Mohammed Mohammed Aminu as the new Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).
Dr. Aminu, who holds a Ph.D. in Automobile Technology and a Master’s in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, brings 28 years of experience in education, administration, research, and policy development.
As Tinubu continues filling key positions, attention remains on how these appointments will shape governance and national institutions in the months ahead.
