This followed a screening session held on the Senate floor on Thursday.

Born in 1978, Ude is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. His nomination by President Bola Tinubu was read on the floor of the Senate last Tuesday.

He is to replace Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji from the same state, who resigned as Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology in the heat of a certificate scandal allegation on 7 October.

During Ude’s screening, senators posed a series of questions touching on both national and international issues.

Senator Abdul Ningi asked the nominee to share his opinion on the threat by United States President Donald Trump, seeking his perspective on possible solutions.

The question sparked a brief uproar in the chamber as some lawmakers argued that Ude had already demonstrated his competence for the ministerial role and should not be subjected to further questioning.

In response, Ude stated that President Bola Tinubu was handling the matter diplomatically, emphasising that it was more a matter of diplomacy than law.

Senator Adamu Aliero sought Ude’s views on the possible separation of the offices of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, to which he replied that ‘whether separated or fused, the successful operation of that office depends on the individual, on whether he allows himself to be politically influenced or not’.

Apparently satisfied with his responses, the Senate asked Ude to take a bow and leave, after which he was formally confirmed as minister.

His nomination comes just weeks after the resignation of Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who stepped down from President Tinubu’s cabinet amid a certificate scandal.