President Bola Tinubu on Monday swore in two newly appointed ministers: Joseph Tegbe as Minister of Power and Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The ceremony took place at the President's Office in the State House, Abuja, shortly after Tinubu received Madagascar's President, Michael Randrianirina, on a courtesy visit.
Swearing-In Ceremony Details
The Oath of Office was administered in the presence of Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and other senior government officials. This inauguration marks the formal commencement of the ministers' responsibilities as members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Background of Appointments
The swearing-in follows recent cabinet adjustments approved by the president to strengthen policy implementation and enhance performance across key government sectors. The Senate screened and confirmed both ministers in May following Tinubu's request.
Profile of Joseph Tegbe
Mr. Tegbe, an indigene of Oyo State, is a fiscal, economic, and institutional reform strategist with over 35 years of experience in the public and private sectors. He holds a First Class Degree in Civil Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as well as Master's degrees in Business Administration and Public Administration.
Before his appointment, he served as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, leading major transformational and public-sector reform initiatives. His professional engagements have included institutions such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Shell, Huawei, General Electric, MTN, and Odu'a Group. He replaced Adebayo Adelabu, who resigned to run for the APC governorship primary in Oyo State.
Profile of Sola Enikanolaiye
Mr. Enikanolaiye, from Kogi State, holds a First Class Degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he was the best graduating student in his faculty. He also obtained a Master's Degree in International Law and Diplomacy with distinction from the University of Lagos.
The diplomat joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1982 and rose through the ranks to become permanent secretary, a position he held until his retirement in August 2017 after 35 years of service. During his diplomatic career, he served in Nigeria's missions in Ethiopia, Serbia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and was later appointed Nigeria's High Commissioner to India. Before his ministerial appointment, he served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
He is a recipient of several honors, including the Presidential Civil Service Merit Award and the Presidential Distinguished Public Service Career Award. He replaced Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who was elevated to minister after Yusuf Tuggar resigned to contest the APC primary election in Bauchi State.
