Amanze Chinonye
President Tinubu has approved the constitution of new governing boards for the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), in a move aligned with his administration’s broader push to strengthen key institutions driving food security and basic education.
The development was reported by Prime Business Africa.
The appointments, announced in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reflect ongoing efforts to reposition the agriculture and education sectors as central pillars of Nigeria’s economic recovery and human capital development agenda. Since assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu has emphasised the need for effective governance structures and improved oversight in critical agencies.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAt UBEC which plays a strategic role in addressing Nigeria’s out-of-school-children crisis and upgrading basic education infrastructure Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura was reaffirmed as board chairman, a role he has held since July.
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Additional members appointed to the board include Uchendu Ikechi Mbaegbulem (South East), Gift Ngo (South South), Mrs. Ibiwunmi Akinnola (South West), Dr. Meiro Mandara (North East), Dr. Abdu Imam Saulawa (North West), and Prof. Paul Ibukun-Olu Bolorunduro (North Central). Board members will serve a four-year term in the first instance.
The Bank of Agriculture, long criticised for limited operational capacity despite its mandate to expand credit to smallholder farmers, is also undergoing restructuring.
Tinubu confirmed the earlier appointments of Muhammad Babangida as chairman and Ayo Sotinrin as managing director. Three executive directors were named: Fatima Garba (Corporate Services), Ka’amuna Ibrahim Khadi (Risk Management and Strategy), and Hakeem Oluwatosin Salami (Operations). Five non-executive directors representing all six geopolitical zones were also appointed, including 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 financing sector, the President has moved to fully operationalise the NADF, a young agency conceived by farmers and agripreneurs to tackle chronic funding gaps in the agriculture value chain.
The agency is considered central to Tinubu’s food security agenda. Muhammad Abu Ibrahim, appointed in 2023 as the Fund’s executive secretary and CEO, will now work alongside a newly constituted board chaired by Mallam Bello Maccido, pioneer chairman of FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited.
Other NADF board members include financial consultant and banker Dr. Nelson Henry Essien (South South); Amina Ahmed Habib, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (North West); engineer and businessman Akinyinka Olufela Akinnola (South West); development expert Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman (North East); Lufer Samson Orkar (North Central); and energy executive Felix Achibiri (South East).
The Presidency noted that the appointments take immediate effect, as the administration accelerates reforms aimed at strengthening institutions, expanding agricultural productivity, and improving learning outcomes nationwide.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
