By Dr. Buchi Nnaji

The appointment of Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology marks a decisive move by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu toward institutional renewal and generational inclusion in governance. It is both timely and strategically anchored on competence, administrative capacity, and reformist track record rather than on narrow professional classification.

In public service, the effectiveness of a minister depends less on professional background and more on leadership, vision, and managerial ability. In Nigeria’s governance framework, ministers are political and administrative heads, not field technocrats. Their central responsibility is to provide direction, coordinate experts, and ensure that policy translates into measurable outcomes. The technical depth required to implement programmes resides within the ministry’s civil service - its engineers, scientists, directors, and permanent secretaries, while the minister ensures synergy, accountability, and policy focus.

History provides clear precedents. Babatunde Raji Fashola, a lawyer by training, presided successfully over the Ministry of Power, Works, and Housing between 2015 and 2019, overseeing major infrastructure renewals and policy reforms. His tenure demonstrated that effective governance rests on administrative discipline, not professional labels. Similar examples can be found across successive administrations, where ministers from diverse backgrounds have delivered strong results through capable leadership and teamwork.

Dr. Udeh brings to the federal cabinet a blend of legal, administrative, and policy experience that is essential for driving innovation at the national level. As Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Enugu State, he led a series of justice-sector reforms that modernized processes, improved access to justice, and strengthened collaboration between the executive and judiciary. These initiatives reflected not only his grasp of governance but also his capacity to manage complex institutions and mobilize professionals toward shared objectives.

At 40-something, he represents a new generation of public leaders who combine intellect, discipline, and a readiness to embrace technology as a tool for transformation. His elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2025 further attests to his depth of scholarship, integrity, and national recognition.

The Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, beyond laboratories and research grants, serves as the policy nerve-centre for industrial innovation, intellectual property protection, and scientific collaboration with universities and the private sector. These areas demand sound regulatory understanding and the kind of policy clarity that Dr. Udeh’s legal background provides. His task will be to assemble a team of competent scientists, engineers, and innovators, and to create an enabling environment for research commercialization and technological entrepreneurship.

President Tinubu’s choice reflects a deliberate effort to blend administrative competence with youthful vision. It signals confidence in a new generation of leaders capable of bridging policy with innovation. The real test will lie in implementation—reforming agencies under the ministry, promoting research partnerships, and aligning science policy with national industrial goals.

Dr. Udeh’s appointment is therefore not a misfit but a natural progression of merit and leadership maturity. His record in Enugu, his intellect, and his reform-minded approach suggest that the nation’s innovation ecosystem may be entering a new era of structure, accountability, and measurable impact. Nigerians will watch keenly, but there is every reason for optimism that he will deliver.

- Dr. Buchi Nnaji, PhD (Chemical Engineering), Public Policy Analyst