Tinubu restructures energy office, appoints Babalola to lead power reforms...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Rilwan Lanre Babalola as Special Adviser on Power and Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Power Sector Reset and Restoration.

CBI News reports that the appointment was announced in a State House press release on Thursday.

As part of the restructuring, the President also redesignated the Office of the Special Adviser (Energy) as Special Adviser (Oil & Gas), aimed at clarifying responsibilities and avoiding duplication within the energy governance framework.

According to the statement, Babalola will head a high-level taskforce operating under a direct presidential mandate to deliver reforms in the electricity sector.

The taskforce is expected to restore efficiency, discipline and commercial viability while ensuring coordination among relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

The Presidential Taskforce will oversee a comprehensive reset of the power sector, including reducing technical and commercial losses, strengthening cost discipline, and improving tariff integrity.

It will also work to enhance sector liquidity, restore grid discipline, promote productive use of electricity, and develop Electricity Growth Zones.

Additionally, the taskforce is expected to deliver a 90-day implementation blueprint for the reforms.

The Presidency said the appointment reflects Tinubu’s commitment to a results-driven overhaul of the power sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The statement, signed by Bayo Onanuga, noted that the President expects Babalola to bring urgency and strong execution to the role in order to deliver tangible improvements in power supply and sector performance.