Senate confirms Enikanolaiye, Tegbe as ministers

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointments of Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Minister of Power, formalising President Bola Tinubu’s latest cabinet adjustments.

 

The confirmations followed their screening at plenary, where both nominees were grilled by lawmakers and cleared by the Committee of the Whole.

 

President Tinubu had earlier transmitted their nominations in separate letters to the Senate in line with Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

 

The request was read on the floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who subsequently referred the nominees to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

 

For Enikanolaiye, the confirmation marks a formal return to Nigeria’s foreign policy leadership. A seasoned diplomat, he previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations and rose to the rank of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

His diplomatic career spans postings in Addis Ababa, London, Ottawa, Belgrade and New Delhi, giving him extensive international experience.

 

Tegbe’s appointment comes at a critical time for the power sector, which continues to face challenges including grid instability, liquidity constraints and infrastructure deficits.

 

He succeeds the immediate past Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who resigned in March 2026 to pursue the Oyo governorship race in line with the directive requiring political appointees seeking elective office to step down.

 

Tegbe, an Oyo State indigene, is a former Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa and currently serves as Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership.

 

With their confirmation, both officials are expected to assume duties immediately as the Federal Government pushes to strengthen governance in the foreign affairs and power sectors.