The appointment, announced in a State House press release made available online by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, signals a renewed push by the administration to address longstanding challenges in the country’s power industry.
As part of the restructuring, the President also redesignated the Office of the Special Adviser on Energy to Special Adviser on Oil and Gas, a move intended to streamline responsibilities and eliminate overlaps within the energy governance framework.
Babalola, a former Minister for Power, is expected to bring extensive experience and technical knowledge to the role, particularly in tackling structural and operational issues affecting electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.
The Presidential Taskforce, which he will lead, is mandated to drive a comprehensive reform of the power sector. It will operate under direct presidential oversight, focusing on improving efficiency, restoring discipline, and enhancing the commercial viability of the electricity market.
Key priorities of the taskforce include reducing technical and commercial losses, improving revenue collection, and enforcing cost discipline and tariff integrity. It will also work to strengthen sector liquidity, restore grid stability, and promote the productive use of electricity across critical sectors of the economy.
In addition, the taskforce is expected to develop Electricity Growth Zones, reduce fiscal pressures on the government, and deliver a 90-day implementation blueprint for sector reforms.
According to the presidency, the appointment reflects Tinubu’s commitment to achieving measurable improvements in power supply under his Renewed Hope Agenda.
The President has charged Babalola with bringing urgency, discipline, and strong execution to the assignment as the government intensifies efforts to deliver reliable electricity to Nigerians.
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