Buhari swears in 36 ministers, names himself as Petroleum Minister (see full list)

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday swore in 36 ministers to form his cabinet at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa and assigned them portfolios.

The swearing-in, which was done in nine batches, was witnessed by two guests each of the appointees, some governors and chieftains of APC.

The president, who also takes charge of the Ministry of Petroleum as substantive Minister, described the event as a milestone and added that since his inauguration in May, he had been optimistic of bringing high quality persons into his cabinet.

He said the choice was deliberate to appoint square pegs in square holes to avoid the mistake of appointing those who would not perform.

``We are optimistic that bringing these set of ministers into the service of our country today, is a step in the right direction and timely move towards realizing our positive goals for our country.

``Since we assumed office in May, I had been mindful of the need to ensure that the appointment of new ministers translate into a round pegs in round holes while showing sensitivity to our diversity as a people and our various positions as groups of stakeholders of our country.

``I have also been conscious of the need not to repeat such mistakes of the past where the right people were allocated the wrong portfolios which translated into their performing poorly to our collective detriment despite their obvious capability.’’

He said the government would continue to implement its policies decisively.

The president said the government was determined to diversify the economy to make the agriculture and solid mineral sectors major revenue earners.

``The primary aim is to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of rice, wheat and to become a major consumer and exporter of those items as well as solid minerals,’’ Buhari said.

He said the administration would pursue policies that would generate employment, improve security, tackle corruption and rout Boko Haram insurgency and other social vices.

The president said his administration had made progress in its short period, which should be taken as indication that more could be achieved through common resolve and patriotism by all.

He said the introduction of the Treasury Single Account had conserved foreign exchange and made money available for governance.

The president added that the Central Bank of Nigeria had implemented specific policies to strengthen the naira and preserved foreign reserves.

He said the administration was poised to sustain economic growth through transparent governance, which had led to a reduction of ``cynicism’’ about government.

After the inauguration, the Federal Executive Council held its inaugural meeting

The list of ministers and their portfolios is as follows:

1. Muhammadu Buhari -- Minister of Petroleum

2. Ibe kachikwu - State, Petroleum

3. Enyinnaya Okechukwu Enelema - Industry, Trade and investment

4. . Aisha Abubakar -State, Industry, Trade and Investment

5. Mohammed Musa Bello - Federal Capital Territory

6. Udo Udoma - Budget and National Planning

7. Zainab Ahmed -State, Budget and National Planning

8. Chris Ngige - Labour and Employment

9. James Ocholli - State, Labour and Employment

10. Audu Ogbe - Agriculture and Rural Development

11. Heneiken Lokpobiri -- State, Agriculture and Rural Development

12. Adamu Adamu - Education

13. Anthony Onwuka - State, Education

14. Babatunde Fashola - Power, Works and Housing

15. Mustapha Baba Shauri - State, Power, Works and Housing

16. Usani Usani Uguru - Niger Delta

17. Omole Daramola -State, Niger Delta

18. Ogbonnaya Onu - Science and Technology

19. Isaac Adewole - Health

20. Osagie Ehanire – State, Health

21. John Kayode Fayemi - Solid Minerals

22. Bawa Bwari Abubakar - State, Solid Minerals

23. Gregory Onyeama - Foreign Affairs

24. Khadijat Buka Abba Ibrahim - State, Foreign Affairs

25. Amina Mohammed - Environment

26. Ibrahim Jibrin - State, Environment

27. Suleiman Adamu Kazaure - Water Resources

28. Abdulrahman Dambazau - Interior

29. Rotimi Amaechi -Transport

30. Hadi Sirika -State, Aviation

31. Abubakar Malami -Justice

32. Lai Mohammed – Information

33. Folake Adeosun – Finance

34. Adebayo Shittu - Communication

35. Solomon Dalong -Youth and Sports

36. Aisha Jumai Alhassan - Women Affairs

37. Manir Dan-Ali - Defence. (NAN)