Tinubu Appoints New Ministers of Power and Foreign Affairs
In a significant move to bolster his administration, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the new Minister of Power and Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The oath of office for both officials was administered during a brief ceremony held on Monday at the State House in Abuja, attended by the spouses of ministers and senior government officials.
This executive reshuffle follows the resignation of former Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tugar and Chief Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, who left their posts to pursue further political opportunities. President Tinubu nominated Tegbe and Enikanolaye, with their appointments receiving formal approval from the Senate on May 6, 2026.
Joseph Tegbe, who hails from Ibadan, Oyo State, brings over 35 years of experience in fiscal, economic, and institutional reform strategies across both public and private sectors. He holds a first-class degree in Civil Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, along with an MBA from Switzerland and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Birmingham.
As a former senior partner and head of advisory services at KPMG in Africa, Tegbe has successfully led multiple transformation initiatives. His impressive track record includes the design and implementation of significant presidential reforms and local government strategies. He has also contributed to restructuring fiscal policies at various levels of government, collaborating with notable organizations such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trade (NBET), and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye, originally from Igbagun in Kogi State, is equally accomplished, holding a first-class degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. His academic excellence earned him the Dean’s Award for top student in his department. Enikanolaye furthered his studies with a Master’s in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, graduating with distinction.
A career diplomat, Enikanolaye has been with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since August 1982, ultimately rising to the position of director general. He served as the ministry’s permanent secretary until his retirement on August 4, 2017, concluding 35 years of dedicated service. His diplomatic journey has taken him to key missions in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, and London, with his final role being the Head of the Nigerian Mission in New Delhi.
Throughout his career, Enikanolaye has garnered several accolades, including the Presidential Civil Service Achievement Award and the National Defense University Outstanding Fellowship. Before his recent appointment, he was the Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and International Relations within the Office of the President’s Chief of Staff.
