President Bola Tinubu has nominated Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe for appointment as Nigeria’s new Minister of Power, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
The nomination, according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Thursday has been formally transmitted to the National Assembly for screening in line with constitutional provisions.
Tegbe’s nomination follows the resignation of Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down from the position to pursue an elective office.
A native of Oyo State, Tegbe is described as a seasoned fiscal and economic reform expert with more than 35 years of experience across both public and private sectors.
He previously served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led initiatives focused on fiscal policy reform, governance, and institutional transformation.
He currently serves as Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, where he oversees efforts to strengthen development cooperation between Nigeria and China, in alignment with the objectives of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, FOCAC.
The statement also highlighted Tegbe’s experience in Nigeria’s power sector, including his involvement in regulatory and institutional reforms with agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company.
The Presidency expressed confidence that, if confirmed, Tegbe will leverage his expertise to advance ongoing reforms, improve grid stability, and attract sustainable investment into the sector under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has appointed Rilwan Lanre Babalola as Special Adviser on Power and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power Sector Reset and Restoration.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency on Thursday , the move is aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s electricity sector for improved efficiency, coordination, and performance.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga says the President also approved the redesignation of the Office of the Special Adviser (Energy) to Special Adviser (Oil & Gas) to eliminate overlaps and clarify responsibilities within the energy governance framework.
Babalola, who is a former Minister of Power, is expected to deploy his experience to address long-standing structural and operational challenges across the electricity value chain.
The appointment according to the Presidency underscores the administration’s push for a results-driven overhaul of the sector, with a focus on delivering measurable improvements in power supply.
The Presidential Task Force will operate under a direct mandate from the President, with a focus on restoring discipline, efficiency, and commercial viability.
Its responsibilities include implementing a “Performance Before Expansion” framework, reducing technical and commercial losses, and strengthening tariff discipline.
The task force will also work to improve sector liquidity, enhance revenue assurance, restore grid discipline, and promote productive use of electricity across key sectors.
It is expected to deliver a 90-day implementation blueprint to fast-track reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
