Photo caption: Joseph Tegbe
By Emeka Ugwuanyi
President Bola Tinubu has nominated Joseph Tegbe as Minister of Power, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
This was contained in a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.
“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,” the statement read.
The nomination, which has been transmitted to the Senate for screening, follows the resignation of former minister Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down to pursue elective office.
Tegbe, an indigene of Oyo State, is a fiscal and economic reform expert with over three decades of experience across the public and private sectors.
He previously served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led initiatives in fiscal policy reform, governance and institutional transformation.
He is currently the Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, coordinating bilateral development efforts between Nigeria and China.
Tegbe also served as Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, which the Federal Government inaugurated in 2025 to drive the implementation of Nigeria’s revised tax policy.
The statement also noted that Tegbe has prior experience working on regulatory and institutional reforms in the power sector, including engagements with agencies such as 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 read.
Adelabu resigned as Minister of Power in March 2026 after declaring his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
His exit followed a directive by Tinubu requiring political appointees seeking elective positions to step down from office.
Adelabu, who previously contested the Oyo governorship election in 2019, said his decision to leave the cabinet was in line with due process and party guidelines as he prepared to return to active partisan politics ahead of the 2027 polls.
