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Senate Confirms Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe and Sola Enikanolaiye
Abuja – The Senate has officially confirmed Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe and Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The confirmation of the two nominees followed their screening at the Committee of the Whole on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday.
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President Bola Tinubu had forwarded their names to the Upper Legislative Chamber on Tuesday, seeking expeditious confirmation in line with Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) , which empowers the President to appoint ministers subject to Senate approval.
Tegbe Speaks Tough on Nigeria’s Power Crisis
During his screening, Tegbe, who currently serves as Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (appointed in 2025), delivered a stark warning about the nation’s electricity sector.
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“Nigeria’s power crisis requires tough and transparent reforms. There are no quick fixes,” Tegbe told lawmakers.
He acknowledged that decades of reform efforts have failed to yield the expected results, describing power as the foundation of national confidence.
“We will not do things the way we used to do before. I will not promise what I cannot deliver,” he declared.
Tegbe outlined a clear roadmap, pledging decisive action over mere rhetoric. His priority areas include:
| Priority Area | Action Point |
|---|---|
| Power Distribution | Restructuring the sector for efficiency |
| Metering Gap | Closing the deficit to end estimated billing |
| Transparency | Public dashboard for tracking performance |
| Sub-National Participation | Encouraging state governments to generate electricity |
“We must close the metering gap and ensure Nigerians can track performance through a transparent public dashboard. The sector must be properly structured, and the people deserve to see real improvement,” he emphasized.
Tegbe also revealed that sub-national governments would be encouraged to generate their own electricity to ease pressure on the overstretched national grid.
He issued a firm timeline for accountability: “We will come with clear milestones. If results are not visible in three months, they won’t be in six.”
Ambassador Enikanolaiye Confirmed
Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, a career diplomat, was also confirmed alongside Tegbe. The Senate did not raise significant objections to his nomination, citing his extensive experience in foreign affairs and diplomatic service.
What This Means for Tinubu’s Cabinet
With these confirmations, President Tinubu’s ministerial team gains two new members:
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Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe – Expected to oversee a portfolio related to power or strategic partnerships (portfolio to be assigned by the President)
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Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye – Likely to resume in a key diplomatic or foreign affairs capacity
The Senate President, who presided over the Committee of the Whole, congratulated the new ministers and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by both the President and the National Assembly.
Read Also (Related Story)
Tinubu Fails 24-Hour Electricity Promise as Minister Apologises to Nigerians
Bottom Line
The confirmation of Tegbe and Enikanolaiye brings fresh hands into the Federal Executive Council. All eyes are now on Tegbe, whose bold promises on power sector reform have raised public expectations. Nigerians will be watching closely to see if the “three-month milestone” pledge translates into tangible relief on electricity.
Ejes Gist News will continue to monitor and report on portfolio allocations and subsequent ministerial developments.
