In a significant event on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu administered the swearing-in ceremony for George Akume, who assumed the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).The ceremony took place at the council chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the nation’s capital. Notable dignitaries in attendance included Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governor of Kwara state, and Folashade Yemi-Esan, the head of the civil service of the federation. Regina Akume, the wife of the newly appointed SGF, was also present to witness the occasion.

President Tinubu had previously announced Akume’s appointment as the SGF on June 2, along with the appointment of Femi Gbajabiamila, the outgoing speaker of the House of Representatives, as his chief of staff. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, a former deputy governor of Jigawa state, was named as the deputy chief of staff. Akume brings valuable experience to the role, having served as the minority leader of the senate from June 2011 to June 2015. Additionally, he served as the governor of Benue state from 1999 to 2007, coinciding with Tinubu’s governance of Lagos during the same period.