The Ministry of Works in Nigeria, established In 1957 is responsible for the development and maintenance of federal roads, bridges, and other infrastructure across the country.
It oversees the planning, construction, and rehabilitation of highways, ensuring road safety standards are met. The ministry also coordinates with other relevant agencies and stakeholders in the transportation sector.
Additionally, it plays a part in providing infrastructure and mapping of Nigeria’s internal and international boundaries.
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List Of Ministers Of Work In Nigeria
| No | Name | Term |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abubakar Tafawa Balewa | 1951 - 1954 |
| 2 | Inuwa Wada | 1955 - 1960 |
| 3 | Inuwa Wada | 1960 - 1965 |
| 4 | Shehu Shagari | 1965 - 1966 |
| 5 | Femi Okunnu | 1967 - 1975 |
| 6 | Olusegun Obasanjo | 1975 - 1975 |
| 7 | Olufemi Olumide | 1975 - 1976 |
| 8 | Orho Esio Obada | 1976 - 1977 |
| 9 | Oberu Aribiah | 1977 - 1978 |
| 10 | Muhammed Shuwa | 1978 - 1979 |
| 11 | Sunday Essang | 1979 - 1983 |
| 12 | Emmanuel Nsan | 1983 - 1984 |
| 13 | Hamza Abdullahi | 1984 - 1985 |
| 14 | Abubakar Umar | 1985 - 1987 |
| 15 | Mohammed Kontagora | 1987 - 1993 |
| 16 | Barnabas Gemade | 1993 - 1993 |
| 17 | Lateef Jakande | 1993 - 1995 |
| 18 | Abdulkareem Adisa | 1995 - 1997 |
| 19 | Garba Ali Mohammed | 1997 - 1999 |
| 20 | Anthony Anenih | 1999 - 2003 |
| 21 | Adeseye Ogunlewe | 2003 - 2006 |
| 22 | Obafemi Anibaba | 2006 - 2006 |
| 23 | Cornelius Adebayo | 2006 - 2007 |
| 24 | Hassan Muhammed Lawal | 2008 - 2010 |
| 25 | Mohammed Daggash | 2010 -2011 |
| 26 | Mike Onolememen | 2011 -2015 |
| 27 | Babatunde Fashola | 2015 -2023 |
| 28 | Dave Umahi | 2023 - Incumbent |
Departments In The Ministry Of Work In Nigeria
Here are all the departments In the Ministry of Work In Nigeria:
- Engineering Services
- Finance and Accounts
- Highways
- Highways Construction and Rehabilitation
- Highway Bridges and Design
- Highways, Mat. Geo-Technics & QC
- Human Resource Management
- Information and Communication Technology
- Planning & Development
- Planning, Research and Statistics
- Procurement
- Reform Coord. & Service Improvement
Units In The Ministry Of Work In Nigeria
- Audit
- Legal Services
- Library Services
- Office of the Permanent Secretary
- Press and Public Relations
- Protocol
- Public Private Partnership
- Reforms, Servicom and Anti-Corruption Unit
Who Was The First Minister Of Work In Nigeria?
The first Minister of Work in Nigeria was Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Known primarily for his role as Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Balewa had a notable political career that began before Nigeria gained independence.
He became involved in politics after working as a teacher and then entering public service. In 1952, Balewa was appointed as the Minister of Works during a time when Nigeria was transitioning towards self-governance.
As Minister of Works, Balewa oversaw key infrastructure projects that laid the foundation for Nigeria’s development. His time in the Ministry of Works was seen by efforts to modernize Nigeria’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public facilities, to support the growing needs of the nation.
One of the major achievements during his tenure was initiating plans for projects like the construction of the Niger Bridge, which remains an essential transportation link in Nigeria.
Additionally, he helped to transform the Marine and Railway departments into more organized and efficient corporations.
Later, Balewa served as the Minister of Transport. During this period, he established himself as a respected leader, gaining the trust of both his colleagues and the general public for his efforts in improving the country’s infrastructure.
Balewa’s leadership goes beyond the Ministry of Works and Transport, as he was also a key figure in the movement for Nigeria’s independence.
He became the Chief Minister of Nigeria in 1957, and eventually, the Prime Minister when Nigeria gained independence in 1960.
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Who Is The New Minister Of Work In Nigeria?
David Nweze Umahi currently serves as the Minister of Works in Nigeria, appointed by President Bola Tinubu. He took over this position on August 21, 2023, succeeding Babatunde Fashola.
Before assuming this role, Umahi briefly served as the Senator for Ebonyi South from June to August 2023, a role he left to take up his current ministerial appointment.
Umahi’s political career is rooted in Ebonyi State, where he served as Governor from 2015 to 2023. Before that, he was the Deputy Governor from 2011 to 2015, under Governor Martin Elechi.
During his time as governor, he was known for infrastructure projects and economic initiatives aimed at developing the state. Umahi has also had a substantial career in the private sector.
He holds a degree in Civil Engineering, which he obtained in 1987 from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
However, before he ventured into politics, he co-founded Norman Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited, where he worked until 1993.
Umahi’s political career started in 2007 when he became the acting chairman of the Ebonyi State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). From 2009 to 2011, he was the state chairman of the party.
In 2011, he became the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, but his political ambitions didn’t stop there. In 2014, despite not receiving the backing of his then-ally, Governor Elechi, Umahi won the PDP primaries and subsequently the gubernatorial election in 2015.
His victory was a significant milestone, and he was re-elected in 2019. In 2020, Umahi made a bold move by defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the PDP.
His defection was partly motivated by what he described as the PDP’s neglect of the Southeast geopolitical zone. Umahi’s ambition to serve at the national level was clear when he declared his intention to run for Nigeria’s presidency in 2022.
Although his presidential bid did not materialize, his political influence continued to grow, resulting in his appointment as Minister of Works in 2023.