Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Nigeria’s power sector is poised for a new direction as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominates Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the new Minister of Power, following the recent resignation of Adebayo Adelabu. Tegbe’s nomination, which has been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, was announced on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The nomination comes at a critical juncture for the country’s electricity industry, which continues to grapple with longstanding issues of poor generation, inadequate transmission infrastructure, frequent grid collapses, and liquidity constraints. The Tinubu administration has repeatedly pledged to address these challenges through a series of reforms, and the appointment of a new minister is seen as part of that ongoing effort. According to the Presidency, Tegbe’s 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, an indigene of Oyo State, brings over 35 years of experience across the public and private sectors. He is currently a Senior Partner and Head of Technology Advisory Services and Markets at KPMG Professional Services Nigeria, a member firm of KPMG International. He also serves as KPMG Africa Lead for Cybersecurity practice, Public Sector and Technology, Media and Telecommunications. His professional foundation was built on a First Class degree in civil engineering from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1988, complemented by advanced studies at the Lagos Business School, INSEAD, Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (FCIT).
Beyond his consulting work, Tegbe holds the position of Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), where he coordinates 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 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) objectives. His experience within the power sector includes significant engagements in regulatory and institutional reform involving agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).
The vacancy at the Ministry of Power was created by the resignation of Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down on April 22, 2026, to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections. Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had served as Power Minister since August 2023. While speculations swirled that Adelabu had resigned against the President’s wish, the former minister swiftly clarified that he had obtained “the full approval and blessing of President Tinubu before taking the decision to resign.” His exit was linked to a directive by the Presidency requiring all political appointees seeking elective positions to resign on or before March 31, 2026, in line with the Electoral Act. President Tinubu asked Adelabu to stay on for a few extra weeks to solidify key reforms before his eventual departure. Adelabu’s resignation took effect on April 30, the same day Tegbe’s nomination was announced.
The power sector has been one of the most persistent headaches for successive Nigerian administrations. Despite billions of dollars in investment, the country’s electricity generation remains abysmally low, hovering between 4,000 and 5,000 megawatts for a population exceeding 200 million. The grid has collapsed multiple times in 2026, plunging major cities into darkness and disrupting economic activities. In a recent development, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced a significant tariff hike for customers in Band A, who receive up to 20 hours of electricity daily, as part of a broader cost-reflective pricing strategy. The move sparked public outcry, with labour unions and civil society groups demanding a reversal. The new minister will have to navigate these politically sensitive waters while also confronting the entrenched inefficiencies within the government-owned power holding company and the privatised distribution companies (DisCos). President Tinubu expects the minister-designate, upon confirmation, to bring his extensive expertise to bear to advance critical reforms and deliver improved outcomes for Nigerians.
The Senate has yet to schedule Tegbe’s screening, but his confirmation is widely anticipated given his technocratic credentials and the lack of apparent opposition. If confirmed, Tegbe will become the second KPMG alumnus to serve in a key economic role in the Tinubu administration, following the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele. Oyedele, who was elevated to the finance portfolio in April 2026, was also a former partner at KPMG. Their joint presence in the Federal Executive Council could signal a renewed focus on data-driven policymaking and fiscal discipline.
As Nigeria races toward the 2027 elections, the stability of the national grid and the affordability of electricity are likely to be major campaign issues. Whether Joseph Tegbe, the management consultant turned minister-designate, can succeed in illuminating the nation while navigating its turbulent political landscape remains to be seen. For now, the ball is in the court of the Nigerian Senate.
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