The nomination was announced on Thursday by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that the President has officially transmitted Tegbe’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation in line with constitutional requirements.
Tegbe’s nomination follows the resignation of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who recently stepped down from the role to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Like Adelabu, Tegbe also hails from Oyo State and is expected to take over leadership of one of Nigeria’s most critical and challenging ministries at a time when the country continues to struggle with electricity supply issues.
Joseph Tegbe is widely regarded as a fiscal and economic reform specialist, bringing more than 35 years of experience across both the public and private sectors.
He previously served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led major projects involving fiscal policy reforms, institutional restructuring, governance improvements, and advisory services across multiple sectors.
Over the years, Tegbe has built a reputation as an experienced strategist, having advised several government institutions and private organisations on regulatory reforms, investment planning, and policy implementation.
Before his nomination, he served as Director General and Global Liaison of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), where he played a key role in strengthening development cooperation and strategic partnerships between Nigeria and China.
His background also includes direct engagements in Nigeria’s power sector, particularly in areas related to institutional and regulatory reform.
According to the presidency, Tegbe has worked closely with important agencies in the electricity value chain, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).
The presidency said his appointment is expected to support ongoing reforms within the power sector while strengthening efforts to improve grid stability and attract sustainable investment.
In a statement, Onanuga noted that Tegbe’s expertise aligns with the administration’s broader economic agenda and power sector reform priorities under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He added that the President expects the minister-designate, once confirmed, to use his experience to accelerate reforms and improve outcomes for Nigerians facing persistent electricity challenges.
Tegbe’s nomination comes at a time when Nigeria’s power sector remains under intense public scrutiny.
In recent years, the country has battled repeated national grid collapses, unstable electricity supply, and infrastructure weaknesses that continue to affect households, businesses, and industrial productivity.
Power outages remain one of the most pressing concerns for Nigerians, with many businesses forced to rely heavily on alternative energy sources such as generators, increasing operational costs across sectors.
The incoming minister will likely face immediate pressure to address longstanding issues, including transmission bottlenecks, generation constraints, metering gaps, and broader market reforms.
If confirmed by the Senate, Tegbe will assume office at a critical moment for Nigeria’s energy sector, with expectations high for improved electricity reliability, stronger sector coordination, and more effective implementation of reform policies.
For millions of Nigerians, his appointment represents another opportunity for leadership change in a sector many believe is central to the country’s economic growth and everyday quality of life.
Discover more from Scoop Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
