Tinubu Splits Energy Advisory Role, Hires Ex-Power Minister Babalola, Moves Verheijen to Oil and Gas

President Bola Tinubu has split the energy advisory portfolio in the presidency, appointing former power minister Rilwan Lanre Babalola as special adviser.

In a statement on Thursday, Tinubu named Babalola as special adviser on power and chairman of a new Presidential Task Force on Power Sector Reset and Restoration, describing the move as part of efforts to deliver a “decisive and results-driven reset” of Nigeria’s electricity sector.

Olu Verheijen, who has served as special adviser on energy since 2023, will now serve in the oil and gas-focused role.

According to the statement, the new task force will operate under a direct presidential mandate as a “high-level, delivery-focused vehicle” to restore discipline, efficiency and commercial viability across the power sector and improve coordination among relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

Its mandate includes driving a comprehensive system reset of the electricity sector; implementing a “performance before expansion” framework; reducing technical, commercial and collection losses; and strengthening cost discipline and tariff integrity.

The task force is also expected to enhance revenue assurance and sector liquidity, restore grid discipline and market integrity, promote productive use of electricity across key sectors, develop electricity growth zones, reduce fiscal exposure and deliver a 90-day implementation blueprint.

Tinubu said he expects Babalola to bring urgency, discipline and strong execution to the assignment in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with a focus on measurable improvements in power supply and sector performance.