Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has been removed as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Thursday. He named Senator Aniekan Bassey of Cross River State as her replacement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was initially appointed Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content following her swearing-in as senator in November 2023. However, in a committee leadership reshuffle led by Akpabio on February 4, 2025, she was removed from that position and reassigned to head the Diaspora and NGOs Committee.
That reshuffle sparked political speculation, as it came shortly after she had taken an active role in overseeing key oil and gas agencies. Some commentators viewed her removal as politically motivated.
Her tenure in the new role was further cut short when, on March 6, 2025, she was suspended for six months over alleged misconduct related to clashes during the reshuffle process. Although her suspension hindered her committee functions, she technically retained the chairmanship until the formal change announced on Thursday.
Senator Bassey’s appointment marks the end of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s brief leadership over two influential Senate committees.
