Muhammadu Buhari
President Buhari is expected to read the names in the parliament on 13 October Reuters

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has submitted a second list of cabinet nominees to the upper house of parliament for approval. The president, who needs to nominate 36 candidates for the cabinet – one for each state – already submitted one list with 21 names earlier in October.

The identity of the people on the second list has not been disclosed, but Buhari is expected to read the names in the parliament on 13 October. The leader, who took office in May after defeating former president Goodluck Jonathan, sparked criticism for having nominated new cabinet members in October, nearly five months after he started his post.

The leader said he would appoint a new cabinet in September, as he wanted to give priority to more pending issues, such as corruption and the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the north east. The Nigerian leader also appointed himself as minister of petroleum resources.

Among names on the previous list, which was read by the senate president Bukola Saraki, is Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, the new head of state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Earlier this year, Buhari replaced the whole NNPC's board in a bid to eradicate corruption after alleging that 250,000 barrels of Nigerian crude oil are stolen every day and sold to other countries at higher prices. Kachikwu is expected to deal with petroleum-related issues under Buhari. The screening of the nominees is expected to start on 13 October.

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