President Bola Tinubu has approved the constitution of the boards of the National Agricultural Development Fund, the Bank of Agriculture and the Universal Basic Education Commission.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Friday.
Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, earlier appointed in July, retains his position as chairman of the UBEC board. Uchendu Ikechi Mbaegbulem is to represent the South East, while Gift Ngo represents the South South. Mrs Ibiwunmi Akinnola will represent the South West, Dr Meiro Mandara the North East, Dr Abdu Imam Saulawa the North West and Professor Paul Ibukun-Olu Bolorunduro the North Central. The chairman and members will serve a four year term in the first instance.
Tinubu also confirmed the appointments of Muhammad Babangida as chairman and Ayo Sotinrin as managing director of the Bank of Agriculture, in line with earlier announcements. The President approved three executive directors and five non executive directors representing the six zones.
The executive directors are Fatima Garba from Sokoto as director of corporate services, Ka’amuna Ibrahim Khadi from Borno as director of risk management and strategy, and Hakeem Oluwatosin Salami from Kwara as director of operations.
The non executive directors appointed to the bank include Aminu Malami Mohammed for the North East, Charles Amuchienwa for the South East, Oladejo Odunuga for the South West, Rabiu Idris Funtua for the North West and Kochi Donald Iorgyer for the North Central.
In the same update, the President affirmed the leadership of the National Agricultural Development Fund. Muhammad Abu Ibrahim, appointed in October 2023, continues as executive secretary and chief executive of the young agency created to improve access to affordable capital for farmers and agripreneurs.
To strengthen the fund, Tinubu approved the inauguration of its board. Mallam Bello Maccido, pioneer chairman of FBNQuest Merchant Bank, will serve as board chairman and represents the North West. Other members include Dr Nelson Henry Essien from Akwa Ibom for the South South and Amina Ahmed Habib from Jigawa for the North West. Both bring strong financial and accounting expertise.
Also on the board is Ondo State born engineer, Akinyinka Olufela Akinnola, representing the South West. From Borno, Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman represents the North East. He is the founder of New Frontier Developments and a former non executive director of Access Bank. Lufer Samson Orkar from Benue represents the North Central, while Felix Achibiri from Imo represents the South East. Achibiri is the group director of Genesis Energy Holdings and chairman and chief executive of DFC Holdings.
The President said the appointments are expected to support renewed investment in agriculture and education across the country.
