Senate Replaces Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with Aniekan Bassey as Diaspora Committee Chair

T The Nigerian Senate has appointed Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, replacing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The announcement was made during Thursday’s plenary session by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, marking another shift in the leadership of Senate committees.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s position had remained uncertain following her recent suspension. In an earlier reshuffle that took place in February, she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content and reassigned to head the Diaspora and NGOs Committee. However, she had not fully resumed the role before today’s decision.

Although no official reason was given for the latest change, it is widely believed to be connected to the Senate’s unresolved position on her suspension. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court had ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender a formal apology to the Senate. Yet, the Senate leadership maintains that it is yet to receive a certified true copy of the court’s ruling.

With the new appointment, Senator Aniekan Bassey will now oversee the committee’s mandate, which includes engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora and the oversight of non-governmental organisations.