Nigerian Minister Abbas Balarabe has explained that he slumped during his Senate screening on Wednesday due to exhaustion.

Recall that Balarabe, from Kaduna State, was being screened for a ministerial position when he collapsed.

The Senate adjourned proceedings while Balarabe was treated by medical personnel. Senate President Godswill Akpabio also restricted media coverage by ordering journalists out of the plenary.

Reacting in an interview, Balarabe said that he had a sleepless night preparing for his screening and that he was simply exhausted.

“It is basically exhaustion,” he said. “I got the news of my nomination yesterday and I had to come from Kaduna. There were so many things to do which I attended to throughout the night.”

Balarabe thanked the Senate for their understanding and said he is now feeling better.

“What I experienced was pure exhaustion which can happen to anybody,” he said.