President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the constitution of new boards for key national institutions including the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), in what officials describe as a move to strengthen governance and development impact.
Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, who was appointed in July, continues as chairman of the UBEC Board. New members appointed include Uchendu Ikechi Mbaegbulem, representing the South East, and Gift Ngo, representing the South South. Mrs Ibiwunmi Akinnola represents the South West, Dr Meiro Mandara represents the North East, Dr Abdu Imam Saulawa represents the North West, and Professor Paul Ibukun-Olu Bolorunduro represents the North Central. According to the Presidency, “The chairman and members of the board shall hold office for a term of four years in the first instance.”
In the Bank of Agriculture, President Tinubu confirmed the previously announced appointments of Muhammad Babangida as chairman and Ayo Sotinrin as managing director. He also named three executive directors and five non-executive directors drawn from Nigeria’s six geo-political zones. The executive directors include Fatima Garba from Sokoto as executive director, Corporate Services, Ka’amuna Ibrahim Khadi from Borno as executive director, Risk Management and Strategy, and Hakeem Oluwatosin Salami from Kwara as executive director, Operations.
The newly appointed non-executive directors are Aminu Malami Mohammed from the North East, Charles Amuchienwa from the South East, Oladejo Odunuga from the South West, Rabiu Idris Funtua from the North West, and Kochi Donald Iorgyer from the North Central.
In the agricultural development sector, President Tinubu has also moved to operationalise the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF). The agency, which he previously placed under the leadership of Muhammad Abu Ibrahim as executive secretary and CEO in October 2023, is expected to support farmers and agripreneurs with affordable financing. The Presidency stated that the President has now constituted its board “in accordance with the Fund’s statute.”
Mallam Bello Maccido, pioneer chairman of FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited, has been named chairman of the NADF board. He brings over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and represents the North West. Other members include Dr Nelson Henry Essien, a financial consultant and seasoned banker representing Akwa Ibom and the South South, and Amina Ahmed Habib from Jigawa representing the North West. Amina is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Ondo-born engineer and businessman, Akinyinka Olufela Akinnola, represents the South West, while Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman from Borno represents the North East. Usman is the founder of New Frontier Developments Ltd and a former non-executive director of Access Bank. Lufer Samson Orkar from Benue represents the North Central, and Felix Achibiri from Imo represents the South East. Achibiri is the Group Director of Genesis Energy Holdings and chairman and CEO of DFC Holdings Limited.
