The Senate has confirmed Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Minister of Power, formally endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle.
The approvals were granted on Wednesday after both nominees appeared before lawmakers during plenary for screening. They were subsequently cleared by the Committee of the Whole following their responses to questions on their qualifications and plans for their respective ministries.
President Tinubu had earlier written to the Senate seeking confirmation of the appointments, in line with Section 147(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The requests, read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, were referred for expedited consideration.
In his correspondence, the President urged swift legislative action on the nominations, a request the Senate leadership honoured by fast-tracking the screening and confirmation process.
Enikanolaiye’s appointment marks a return to the diplomatic arena for the seasoned foreign service officer, who boasts over three decades of experience. He previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations and rose to the position of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tegbe, an economist and public policy expert, is expected to lead reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s troubled power sector, particularly in the areas of electricity generation and distribution.
The confirmations are seen as part of the administration’s broader efforts to strengthen governance and reposition key sectors of the economy.
