Tinubu nominates Joseph Tegbe as Power Minister, new aide as Chairman of Presidential Task Force

*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expects Minister-Designate Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, upon confirmation, to bring his extensive expertise to bear to advance critical reforms and deliver improved outcomes for consumers in the power sector of the Nigerian economy

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Thursday, April 30, 2026, nominated Mr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the new Minister for Power, subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who disclosed this development in a statement, said the nomination had been transmitted to the Senate for screening, and confirmation in accordance with the country’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).

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The statement noted Mr. Tegbe’s nomination followed the resignation of the former Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down from office to pursue an elective office recently.

Mr. Tegbe, from Oyo State, South-West Nigeria, is a fiscal and economic reform expert with over 35 years of experience spanning the public and private sectors.

The nominee is a former Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led wide-ranging initiatives in fiscal policy reform, institutional transformation, and governance.

He has also advised key government institutions and private sector organisations on strategic reforms, regulatory frameworks, and investment structuring.

He is at present the Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), where he is responsible for strengthening bilateral development cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.

The Presidency said the NCSP also coordinates engagements with public sector stakeholders to advance economic and social development in line with FOCAC objectives.

The statement further disclosed Tegbe’s experience includes significant engagements within the power sector, particularly in regulatory and institutional reform, involving agencies, such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).

His nomination is expected to strengthen further ongoing efforts at reforming the power sector, enhancing grid stability, and attracting sustainable investment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Onanuga stated: “The President expects the Minister-Designate, upon confirmation, to bring his extensive expertise to bear to advance critical reforms and deliver improved outcomes for Nigerians in the power sector.”

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In a related development, President Tinubu, GCFR, has appointed Mr. Rilwan Lanre Babalola as Special Adviser to the President on Power and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power Sector Reset and Restoration.

The President has also redesignated the Office of the Special Adviser (Energy) as the Special Adviser (Oil & Gas) to clarify roles and avoid duplication of functions within the energy governance framework.

Babalola, a former Minister for Power, brings deep sectoral expertise and proven understanding of the structural and operational challenges within the electricity value chain.

The Presidency said his appointment underscored Tinubu’s determination to undertake a decisive and results-driven reset of Nigeria’s power sector.

The statement further noted the Presidential Taskforce, which Babalola heads, would operate under a direct presidential mandate as a high-level, delivery-focused vehicle to restore discipline, efficiency, and commercial viability across the power sector, while ensuring effective coordination among relevant ministries, departments, and agencies.

It is also stated that the Taskforce’s mandate includes driving a comprehensive system reset of the electricity sector; implementing a “Performance Before Expansion” framework; reducing technical, commercial, and collection losses; and strengthening cost discipline and tariff integrity.

It will also enhance revenue assurance and sector liquidity; restore grid discipline and market integrity; promote productive use of power across key sectors; develop Electricity Growth Zones; reduce fiscal exposure; and deliver a 90-day implementation blueprint, the statement noted.

Onanuga added President Tinubu “expects Mr. Babalola to bring urgency, discipline, and a strong execution focus to this assignment, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, to deliver measurable improvements in power supply and sector performance.”

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