Tinubu nominates Joseph Tegbe as new power minister

• Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Joseph Tegbe as Minister of Power, pending Senate confirmation.

• The nomination follows the resignation of Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down to contest the 2027 Oyo governorship election.

• Tegbe is an experienced economic reform expert and former senior partner at KPMG Africa.

• He is expected to drive power sector reforms, improve grid stability, and attract investment into Nigeria’s electricity sector.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Joseph Tegbe as Nigeria’s new Minister of Power, a move that now awaits confirmation by the Senate.

The development was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

According to the statement, “His nomination is expected to strengthen further ongoing efforts to reform the power sector, enhance grid stability, and attract sustainable investment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Tegbe’s nomination comes after the resignation of Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down in March 2026 to pursue the Oyo State governorship seat ahead of the 2027 elections.

Adelabu’s exit followed a directive from the presidency requiring political appointees with electoral ambitions to leave office. He said his resignation aligned with party rules and due process as he prepared to re-enter active politics.

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Joseph Tegbe, an indigene of Oyo State, is widely regarded as a fiscal and economic reform expert with more than 30 years of experience spanning both public and private sectors.

He previously worked at KPMG Africa, where he served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services, leading projects around fiscal policy reform, governance, and institutional development.

He currently serves as Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, where he coordinates development efforts between both countries.

In 2025, he also chaired the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, set up by the federal government to drive reforms in Nigeria’s tax system.

The presidency noted that Tegbe is not new to the energy space. He has previously worked on regulatory and institutional reforms within Nigeria’s electricity sector, including engagements with agencies like the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company.

“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,” the statement added.

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Nigeria’s power sector has faced longstanding issues including unstable electricity supply, grid collapses, and funding gaps. The Tinubu administration has repeatedly stated its intention to improve generation, transmission, and distribution through reforms and private sector investment.

If confirmed by the Senate, Tegbe will be stepping into the role at a critical time, with expectations to push forward reforms aimed at improving electricity supply and stabilising the national grid.