List Of All Ministers Of State For Defence In Nigeria (2023-Present)
The Ministry of State for Defence in Nigeria was created under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in August 2023.
This new ministerial position aims to improve the management of defence issues and provide focused oversight on national security matters. It works alongside the existing Minister of Defence role.
The appointment of a Minister of State for Defence shows the government’s commitment to tackling Nigeria’s security challenges, especially those related to insurgency and banditry.
However, the Minister of State for Defence has several important duties. They oversee the implementation of defence policies and strategies set by the federal government.
They work closely with the Chief of Defence Staff and other military leaders to ensure the military is ready to respond to security threats.
Also, they help allocate resources and funding for military operations and welfare programs for armed forces personnel.
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Ministers Of State For Defence (2023-Present)
| Ministry | Term | Political Party |
|---|---|---|
| Bello Matawalle | August 2023-Present | APC |
Current Minister Of State Defence
Bello Muhammad Matawalle, often called Bello Matawalle, is the current Minister of State for Defence in Nigeria. was born on February 12, 1969, in Maradun, Zamfara State.
Matawalle began his role as Minister of State for Defence in August 2023, after being appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He was the governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023, where he dealt with many issues, especially insecurity. Matawalle started his education at Maradun Township Primary School and finished his First School Leaving Certificate in 1979.
He then attended the Vocational Training Centre in Bunza, graduating in 1984. Then, he furthered his education at Yaba College of Technology in Lagos and later at Thames Valley University in London.
Matawalle’s political career began in the late 1990s. He had a brief stint in the state House of Assembly during the Abacha era and served as a state commissioner under Ahmad Sani Yerima from 1999 to 2003.
In 2003, he was elected as a member of the House of Representatives for the Bakura/Maradun constituency, representing the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
He was re-elected in 2007 and later switched to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2011. After losing his seat in 2015, he became the PDP gubernatorial nominee in 2019.
He won the governorship after a Supreme Court ruling disqualified the original winner. As governor, Matawalle worked hard to fight insecurity in Zamfara State, which faced many problems with banditry and violence.
In June 2021, he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), along with many other elected officials in Zamfara State.
However, as the Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle helps the Minister of Defence oversee Nigeria’s military operations and tackle the country’s security issues.
His appointment comes when Nigeria faces serious threats from insurgency and banditry, and he has stressed the need for unity and dialogue among citizens to promote national cohesion.
