NIGERIA: President Tinubu Swears In Ministers of Power, Foreign Affairs

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday swore in two new ministers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following recent cabinet adjustments in the federal government.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The newly inaugurated officials are Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Minister of Power and Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The brief ceremony took place in the presence of the ministers’ spouses and senior government officials at the Presidential Villa.

The appointments followed the resignations of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who left their positions to pursue political ambitions. The nominees were subsequently confirmed by the Senate on May 6, 2026.

Speaking on the development, the presidency noted that the swearing-in reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery across key sectors.

Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, the new Minister of Power, is a seasoned economist and reform strategist with over 35 years of experience across the public and private sectors.

He holds a First Class Degree in Civil Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, alongside advanced degrees in Business Administration and Public Administration.

Tegbe previously served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led major reform initiatives across fiscal and institutional systems. He has also worked with several organisations, including the Nigerian Communications Commission, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Shell, Huawei, General Electric, MTN, and the Odu’a Group.

Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, the new Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, is a career diplomat with decades of experience in international relations and public service.

He holds a First Class Degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Master’s degree in international law and diplomacy from the University of Lagos.

He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1982 and rose to the rank of Director before serving as Permanent Secretary until his retirement in 2017.

During his diplomatic career, he served in Nigeria’s missions in Ethiopia, Serbia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and India, where he was Head of Mission in New Delhi.

The presidency also highlighted his numerous national honours, including the Presidential Civil Service Merit Award and the Presidential Distinguished Public Service Career Award.