Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially constituted the boards of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), signaling a major step toward strengthening governance in Nigeria’s agricultural and educational sectors.
UBEC Board Appointments
Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, appointed in July, will continue to serve as Chair of the UBEC Board. The board now includes representatives from all six geopolitical zones: Uchendu Ikechi Mbaegbulem for the South East, Gift Ngo for the South South, Mrs. Ibiwunmi Akinnola for 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. Board members are expected to serve an initial term of four years.
Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Leadership
President Tinubu confirmed the appointments of Muhammad Babangida as Chairman and Ayo Sotinrin as Managing Director of BOA. The bank’s board also includes three executive directors and five non-executive directors representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Executive directors are:
- Fatima Garba (Sokoto) – Corporate Services
- Ka’amuna Ibrahim Khadi (Borno) – Risk Management and Strategy
- Hakeem Oluwatosin Salami (Kwara) – Operations
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).
National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Board
Muhammad Abu Ibrahim was appointed as Executive Secretary and CEO of NADF in October 2023. The Fund, designed to enhance access to affordable capital for farmers and agripreneurs, now has its full board constituted by President Tinubu.
The board is chaired by Mallam Bello Maccido, pioneer chairman of FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited, representing the North West. Other members include:
- Dr. Nelson Henry Essien (Akwa Ibom/South South), financial consultant and seasoned banker
- Amina Ahmed Habib (Jigawa/North West), fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants
- Akinyinka Olufela Akinnola (Ondo/South West), engineer and entrepreneur
- Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman (Borno/North East), founder of New Frontier Developments Ltd and former Access Bank director
- Lufer Samson Orkar (Benue/North Central)
- Felix Achibiri (Imo/South East), Group Director of Genesis Energy Holdings and CEO of DFC Holdings Limited
The appointments mark a significant effort by the President Tinubu administration to reinforce governance, oversight, and strategic management in Nigeria’s key agricultural and educational institutions.
