By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe and Mr Rilwan Lanre Babalola as Power Minister and Adviser, respectively, pending confirmation by the Senate.
The nominations were disclosed on Thursday in a statement issued by the president’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the president has formally transmitted Tegbe’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation in line with constitutional provisions.
Onanuga explained that the nomination follows the resignation of the former minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down to pursue elective office.
He described Tegbe, an indigene of Oyo State, as a seasoned fiscal and economic reform expert with over 35 years of experience across both public and private sectors.
Tegbe previously served as senior partner and head of advisory services at KPMG Africa, where he spearheaded initiatives in fiscal policy reform, institutional transformation, and governance.
The statement added that he has advised key government institutions and private organisations on strategic reforms, regulatory frameworks, and investment structuring.
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.
Onanuga noted that the partnership also coordinates engagements with public sector stakeholders to drive economic and social development in line with the objectives of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
SUMMIT POST recalls that the immediate past minister, Adelabu, had resigned recently to pursue his Oyo State gubernatorial ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Similarly, the president has appointed Mr Rilwan Lanre Babalola as Special Adviser on Power and Chairman of a new Presidential Taskforce to improve Nigeria’s electricity sector.
The President also changed the role of the Special Adviser on Energy to Special Adviser on Oil and Gas to make responsibilities clearer and avoid overlap.
Mr Babalola, a former Minister of Power, is expected to use his experience to address the challenges facing the country’s power sector.
According to the State House, the taskforce will work directly under the President to ensure better performance, efficiency, and coordination in the electricity system.
The team has been given key responsibilities, including improving power supply, reducing losses in the system, and ensuring proper management of resources.
It will also focus on increasing revenue, improving electricity distribution, and supporting economic activities that depend on stable power.
The taskforce is expected to deliver a clear plan within 90 days to guide reforms in the sector.
Tinubu urged Mr Babalola to bring strong leadership and urgency to the role to achieve better results in the power sector.