Senate Confirms Tegbe, Enikanolaiye as Ministers

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday confirmed Mr. Joseph Tegbe and Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as ministers of the Federal Government, following their screening at plenary.

The nominees, from Oyo and Kogi states respectively, were grilled by lawmakers on pressing national issues, particularly in the power and foreign affairs sectors portfolios they are expected to assume after recent ministerial resignations created vacancies.

Their nominations were earlier forwarded to the Senate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who requested speedy consideration and confirmation.

During the exercise, Senate President Godswill Akpabio charged Tegbe to confront longstanding inefficiencies in the power sector, noting that electricity supply remains inadequate despite years of reforms.

He also highlighted the influence of entrenched interests often described as a “cabal” which he said have continued to undermine efforts to achieve stable and uninterrupted power supply nationwide. Akpabio, however, expressed optimism that Tegbe possesses the capacity to drive meaningful change.

The upper chamber subsequently approved the nominations through a voice vote.

In their responses, the nominees pledged to оправдать the confidence reposed in them by the President and assured lawmakers of their readiness to work closely with the National Assembly in delivering on their responsibilities.