By our Correspondent
The Forum of Commissioners of Power and Energy in Nigeria (FOCPEN) has extended its felicitations to Engr. Joseph Tegbe on his appointment as the new Minister of Power by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing optimism that his extensive experience and strategic leadership will accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition agenda.
In a congratulatory message, FOCPEN described Tegbe’s appointment as a reflection of a renewed commitment to addressing longstanding challenges and unlocking the vast potential of the Nigerian electricity value chain.
Similarly, the forum welcomed the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on Power Sector Reset and Restoration, chaired by a former Minister of Power, Dr. Rilwan Lanre Babalola.
FOCPEN described the task force as a timely and necessary strategic intervention to accelerate reforms, improve coordination, and ensure the effective delivery of reliable and sustainable electricity nationwide.
“We are confident that Dr. Babalola’s experience and leadership will be instrumental in advancing the objectives of the Task Force,” the statement read.
However, FOCPEN stressed that the effectiveness of the task force would be significantly enhanced through the inclusion of State Governments.
The Forum noted that following the enactment of the Electricity Act, sub-national governments now hold critical constitutional, legal, policy, and regulatory roles in the decentralized electricity sector.
“The decentralization of the electricity sector makes it imperative that States are formally integrated into national coordination mechanisms to ensure alignment, efficiency, and investor confidence,” FOCPEN said.
The Forum therefore called on the Presidency to include representatives of State Governments in the Presidential Task Force, describing this as a critical step toward institutionalizing cooperation and ensuring a seamless transition to a fully functional, decentralized electricity market.
FOCPEN reiterated its readiness to work closely with Engr. Joseph Tegbe and Dr. Ridwan Lanre Babalola to foster a cooperative federalism approach that will drive investment, enhance service delivery, and ultimately improve electricity access and reliability for all Nigerians.
“We look forward to a productive partnership in advancing Nigeria’s power sector,” the Forum added. (GSF)