President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the full constitution of the boards of three key institutions—the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)—as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen agricultural financing and basic education delivery across the country.
According to the statement released by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu reaffirmed Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura as chairman of the UBEC Board, a position he has held since his appointment in July. The President also approved new zonal representatives, including Uchendu Ikechi Mbaegbulem for the South-East and Gift Ngo for the South-South. Other members include Mrs. Ibiwunmi Akinnola representing the South-West, Dr. Meiro Mandara for the North-East, Dr. Abdu Imam Saulawa for the North-West, and Professor Paul Ibukun-Olu Bolorunduro for the North-Central. The chairman and members “shall hold office for a term of four years in the first instance,” the statement noted.
At the Bank of Agriculture, President Tinubu confirmed earlier appointments, naming Muhammad Babangida as chairman and Ayo Sotinrin as managing director. The President also approved the appointment of three executive directors and five non-executive directors drawn from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Fatima Garba from Sokoto will serve as Executive Director, Corporate Services; Ka’amuna Ibrahim Khadi of Borno State becomes Executive Director, Risk Management and Strategy; while Hakeem Oluwatosin Salami from Kwara takes charge as Executive Director, Operations. The non-executive directors include Aminu Malami Mohammed (North-East), Charles Amuchienwa (South-East), Oladejo Odunuga (South-West), Rabiu Idris Funtua (North-West) and Kochi Donald Iorgyer (North-Central).
In the agricultural sector, the President also inaugurated the board of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), following the earlier appointment of Muhammad Abu Ibrahim as its Executive Secretary and CEO in October 2023. Tinubu emphasized that the board members would be “pivotal to the agency’s work,” especially as the Fund—described as an initiative “conceived by farmers and agripreneurs”—moves toward improving access to affordable agricultural financing nationwide.
The NADF board will be chaired by Mallam Bello Maccido, pioneer chairman of FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited, who represents the North-West and brings over 30 years of experience in financial services. Other members include Dr. Nelson Henry Essien representing the South-South; Amina Ahmed Habib, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, representing the North-West; and engineer-entrepreneur Akinyinka Olufela Akinnola representing the South-West. The North-East is represented by Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman, founder of New Frontier Developments Ltd and former Access Bank non-executive director, while Lufer Samson Orkar represents the North-Central. The South-East slot is filled by Felix Achibiri, Group Director of Genesis Energy Holdings and chairman of DFC Holdings Limited.
