Follow Us on Google
By Adewale Sanyaolu
Forum of Commissioners of Power and Energy in Nigeria (FOCPEN) has congratulated Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe on his appointment as Minister of Power and backed the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on Power Sector Reset and Restoration.
FOCPEN described the twin developments as critical steps toward repositioning Nigeria’s electricity sector and accelerating the ongoing reforms aimed at improving power supply nationwide.
Stakeholders across Nigeria’s business and policy circles have also hailed his appointment as a strategic move capable of driving long-needed reforms in the nation’s troubled electricity sector.
Tegbe, current director general of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) and chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee (NTPIC), has been widely praised for his technocratic credentials and track record in both the private and public sectors.
Industry players say his nomination comes at a critical time when Nigeria’s power sector continues to grapple with inadequate generation, weak transmission infrastructure, persistent grid collapses and market inefficiencies.
A statement by the Chairman of FOCPEN and Cross River State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Prince Eka Williams, the acting Secretary of the forum and Kogi State Commissioner for Rural and Energy Development, Mohammed Ihiezue Abdulmutalib said Tegbe’s nomination reflected a renewed commitment to addressing longstanding challenges and unlocking the vast potential of the Nigerian electricity value chain.
The commissioners noted that the new minister brings wealth of experience, competence and strategic leadership to the sector at a critical period in Nigeria’s energy transition.
FOCPEN also welcomed the creation of the presidential task force chaired by former Minister of Power, Dr. Rilwan Lanre Babalola, describing the initiative as a timely and necessary mechanism to strengthen policy alignment, drive execution and support ongoing sectoral transformation efforts.
According to the forum, the task force would accelerate reforms, improve coordination and ensure the effective delivery of reliable and sustainable electricity nationwide.
The body, however, stressed that the effectiveness of the task force would depend largely on the inclusion of state governments, following the decentralisation of the electricity sector under the Electricity Act.
“The decentralisation of the electricity sector makes it imperative that states are formally integrated into national coordination mechanisms to ensure alignment, efficiency and investor confidence,” the statement said.
FOCPEN argued that sub-national governments now play constitutional, legal, policy and regulatory roles in the sector and should, therefore, be represented in national electricity coordination structures.
Other News
The forum said it was looking forward to the inclusion of state government’s representatives in the task force as part of efforts to institutionalise cooperation and ensure a seamless transition to a decentralised electricity market.
FOCPEN pledged to work closely with Tegbe and Babalola to promote a harmonised and efficient power sector capable of improving electricity access and reliability for Nigerians.
In separate reactions, an industrialist and energy sector stakeholder, Dr. Jonathan Achim and a business thought leader, Musa Abdullahi, described Tegbe as a pragmatic and result-oriented administrator with the capacity to reposition the sector.
According to Achim, Tegbe demonstrated strong leadership at the NCSP by deepening bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and China and attracting major investment commitments into strategic sectors of the economy.
“He understands how to translate policy into measurable outcomes. His experience in driving investment partnerships and executing large-scale initiatives will be an asset to the power sector,” he said.
Under Tegbe’s leadership, the NCSP facilitated multi-billion-dollar investment engagements in agriculture, mining, steel and energy, while also championing efforts aimed at reviving Nigeria’s steel industry and expanding industrial capacity to support economic diversification and job creation.
Stakeholders also highlighted his role in advancing strategic projects such as the National Integrated Poultry Project and fostering collaboration with global technology giant, Huawei Technologies, to strengthen Nigeria’s digital transformation drive.
Abdullahi said his involvement in several landmark economic initiatives reflects his ability to combine vision with implementation.
“He has shown a rare capacity to deliver on complex national projects. That experience is exactly what is required to reposition the power sector for sustainable growth,” he stated.
Observers further noted that Tegbe’s leadership of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee helped deepen stakeholder confidence in Nigeria’s evolving tax reforms through structured engagement and policy coordination.
Analysts believe the country’s electricity industry requires a leader capable of navigating the complexities of generation, transmission, distribution and regulation, while also attracting private sector investment and restoring discipline to the market.
They argued that Tegbe’s blend of policy expertise, investment experience and institutional coordination positions him as a strong candidate to drive reforms across agencies within the power value chain, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company.
