The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointments of Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye and Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria following their screening and approval during Wednesday’s plenary session.
The confirmation came after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally transmitted their nominations to the upper legislative chamber in accordance with constitutional provisions that require Senate approval for ministerial appointments. The presidential request was read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio before being referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
The Senate subsequently conducted the screening of both nominees, during which lawmakers assessed their professional backgrounds, competence, and suitability for public office. After deliberations, the upper chamber approved both nominations, paving the way for their inclusion in the Federal Executive Council.
Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye was confirmed as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, while Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe was confirmed as Minister of Power, a key portfolio responsible for overseeing Nigeria’s electricity generation, transmission, and distribution reforms.
Enikanolaiye’s return to the federal cabinet marks a continuation of his long-standing career in diplomacy and international relations. He is a seasoned foreign service officer with decades of experience in Nigeria’s diplomatic corps, having served in various capacities within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Over the course of his career, he has represented Nigeria in multiple international postings, including assignments in Addis Ababa, London, Ottawa, Belgrade, and New Delhi. His experience spans bilateral diplomacy, multilateral negotiations, and high-level engagements with international organisations and foreign governments.
Lawmakers during his screening session focused on his understanding of Nigeria’s current foreign policy priorities, including regional cooperation, economic diplomacy, and international security partnerships. He was also questioned on strategies to strengthen Nigeria’s global standing and improve coordination across diplomatic missions.
Enikanolaiye assured the Senate of his readiness to contribute to the administration’s foreign policy objectives, stressing the importance of continuity, institutional strengthening, and strategic engagement with international partners. His confirmation is expected to support Nigeria’s ongoing diplomatic initiatives at a time of shifting global alliances and increasing geopolitical competition.
Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe’s appointment as Minister of Power comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s energy sector, which continues to face persistent challenges affecting national electricity supply. These challenges include inadequate generation capacity, transmission bottlenecks, distribution inefficiencies, and limited investment in infrastructure expansion.
Tegbe brings extensive experience in economic policy, strategic advisory services, and governance consulting. Before his nomination, he held leadership roles in international advisory and consulting institutions, where he worked on infrastructure development strategies, institutional reforms, and economic transformation projects across various sectors.
He was nominated to replace former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who resigned from the cabinet to pursue political ambitions in Oyo State. His appointment is widely viewed as part of the administration’s efforts to reposition the power sector and accelerate ongoing reforms aimed at improving electricity access and reliability.
During his screening, senators engaged Tegbe on his proposed approach to addressing structural inefficiencies in the power sector. Questions were raised on how he intends to improve generation capacity, strengthen transmission infrastructure, and enhance the financial viability of the electricity value chain.
Tegbe assured lawmakers of his commitment to building on existing reforms while introducing measures aimed at improving efficiency and attracting private sector investment. He emphasised the importance of policy consistency, regulatory stability, and stakeholder collaboration in achieving sustainable improvements in the sector.
He also highlighted the need to address legacy challenges in the power industry through a combination of infrastructure upgrades, improved governance frameworks, and enhanced accountability mechanisms. According to him, a stable electricity supply remains central to Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic diversification goals.
In a similar vein, Enikanolaiye addressed questions on Nigeria’s foreign policy direction, diplomatic engagements, and international partnerships. He underscored the importance of strengthening regional integration, enhancing economic diplomacy, and deepening cooperation with key global partners.
Lawmakers also examined his views on improving the efficiency of Nigeria’s foreign missions and ensuring that diplomatic efforts align with the country’s broader economic and security objectives. He reiterated his commitment to advancing Nigeria’s interests through structured and consistent diplomatic engagement.
The Senate’s confirmation of both nominees is part of a broader cabinet reshuffle by the Tinubu administration aimed at strengthening governance delivery and improving performance across strategic sectors of the economy.
The restructuring exercise is intended to enhance efficiency within the Federal Executive Council, particularly in ministries considered critical to national development, including power, foreign affairs, infrastructure, and economic planning.
The changes are also seen as part of efforts to align ministerial leadership with the administration’s reform agenda, which focuses on improving service delivery, attracting investment, and addressing structural bottlenecks in key sectors.
With their confirmation now completed, both Enikanolaiye and Tegbe are expected to be formally sworn in by President Tinubu in the coming days. Upon assumption of office, they will join the Federal Executive Council and take charge of their respective ministries, where they are expected to play key roles in advancing government policy objectives and sectoral reforms.
