Tinubu Picks Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Power Minister

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Nigeria’s Minister of Power, the presidential office confirmed on Thursday. The nomination has been forwarded to the Senate for the constitutionally mandated screening and confirmation process.

The announcement, made by Government Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, follows the resignation of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down to contest elective office. Onanuga noted that Tegbe, a native of Oyo State, brings more than three decades of experience in fiscal and economic reform across both public and private sectors.

Tegbe’s professional background includes a senior partnership at KPMG Africa, where he served as Head of Advisory Services. In that capacity, he oversaw extensive projects in fiscal policy reform, institutional transformation and governance, and provided strategic advice to key government agencies and private‑sector entities on regulatory frameworks, investment structuring and reform initiatives.

Currently, Tegbe holds the position of Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria‑China Strategic Partnership (NCSP). In this role, he is responsible for deepening bilateral development cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China. The NCSP also coordinates engagements with public‑sector stakeholders to advance economic and social development in line with the objectives of the Forum on China‑Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The Senate’s review will assess Tegbe’s qualifications and suitability for the portfolio, which is central to Nigeria’s ongoing power sector reforms and broader economic agenda. The Ministry of Power has been tasked with addressing chronic electricity shortages, attracting private investment, and overseeing the implementation of renewable‑energy projects aimed at diversifying the nation’s energy mix.

If confirmed, Tegbe will succeed Adelabu at a critical juncture for the sector, as the government seeks to improve generation capacity, reduce transmission losses and enhance distribution efficiency. The appointment underscores the Tinubu administration’s emphasis on leveraging technocratic expertise to drive structural reforms in key ministries.

The Senate is expected to convene a hearing in the coming weeks, after which the confirmation vote will determine whether Tegbe assumes the ministerial post. The outcome will shape the next phase of Nigeria’s power sector strategy and its alignment with broader fiscal and infrastructural reforms.