The confirmation came after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request, sent in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Udeh’s nomination fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who stepped down last month amid controversy surrounding his academic credentials. Nnaji, who was the sole cabinet representative from Enugu State, resigned after sustained public pressure, leaving the state without representation in the Federal Executive Council.
Following the President’s letter, Akpabio referred Udeh’s nomination to the Committee of the Whole for screening and further legislative action.
At Thursday’s plenary, the Senate suspended its rules to admit the committee and other guests accompanying the nominee, who was led into the chamber by the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado.
Akpabio explained that the screening, earlier scheduled for Wednesday, was delayed pending the nominee’s security clearance, which arrived late that evening and confirmed that Udeh had no criminal record.
After responding to a few questions from lawmakers, Udeh was asked to take a bow and leave, after which the Senate unanimously confirmed his nomination.
