President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has moved to fill the vacancy at the Ministry of Power by nominating Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the new Minister, a decision aimed at accelerating fiscal and structural reforms within Nigeria’s struggling energy sector.
The announcement, made on Thursday, April 30, 2026, by Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, follows the formal resignation of the former Minister, Adebayo Adelabu. Mr. Adelabu reportedly stepped down from the federal cabinet to focus on his pursuit of an elective office.
The nomination of Mr. Tegbe brings a unique diplomatic and economic dimension to the Ministry. He currently serves as the Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP). In this role, he has been the primary architect of bilateral development cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China, particularly in alignment with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) objectives.
Analysts suggest that Tegbe’s deep ties with Chinese public sector stakeholders could be pivotal in securing the massive investment and technical cooperation required to modernize Nigeria’s national grid and expand generation capacity.
An indigene of Oyo State, the Minister-Designate brings over 35 years of multi-sectoral experience to the table. As a former Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, Tegbe led high-level initiatives in fiscal policy, governance, and institutional transformation.
Crucially, he is no stranger to the complexities of the Nigerian energy landscape. His career includes significant prior engagements with key regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET). The Presidency noted that his background in investment structuring and regulatory frameworks is expected to enhance grid stability and attract sustainable private capital under the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The President has officially transmitted the nomination to the Senate for screening and confirmation, as mandated by the Constitution.
In the statement, President Tinubu expressed high expectations for the Minister-Designate, urging him—upon confirmation—to apply his extensive expertise to deliver improved electricity outcomes for Nigerians. With the power sector remaining a major bottleneck for the nation’s industrial growth, Tegbe’s transition from economic advisory and international diplomacy to the “hot seat” of the Power Ministry will be closely watched by stakeholders across the country.
