ABUJA, Nigeria — The Minister of State for Labour and Employment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has officially resigned from her cabinet position. Her departure follows a specific directive issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which mandated that any political appointees intending to run for elective offices in the 2027 general elections must step down from their current roles.
The resignation was made public on Friday, April 3, 2026, through an official statement shared by the former minister on her social media channels. This announcement comes exactly three days after the Tuesday, March 31, 2026, deadline previously established by the presidency for such departures. While Nkeiruka Onyejeocha confirmed her intention to seek a new political office, she did not specify which particular position she plans to contest in the upcoming election cycle.
In her resignation letter, she expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to serve within the federal government of Nigeria. “This decision comes with profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the opportunity to serve Nigeria in his administration,” she stated. Onyejeocha further noted that “this is not an end but a new beginning. I remain committed to service, to progress, and to building the Nigeria we all deserve. Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
As Okay News reports, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha is now the third member of the President’s cabinet to vacate her seat in compliance with the new directive. Her resignation follows that of the Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, who is seeking the governorship of Gombe State in northeastern Nigeria, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who resigned to enter the gubernatorial race in Bauchi State.
Before her appointment to the ministry, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha was a long-serving member of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly. She represented the Isuikwuato and Umunneochi federal constituency in Abia State, located in the South-East region of the country, from 2007 until 2023. During her time at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, she worked alongside the senior minister to manage industrial relations and employment policies across the nation.
Reflecting on her tenure, Onyejeocha thanked the staff of the ministry for their professionalism and partnership. She highlighted their collective efforts in expanding employment opportunities and strengthening the rights of workers within the country. As she prepares for her next political move, she emphasized her continued dedication to the development of the nation.
